People's Democracy

Keshpur CPI(M) Offices Raided At The Dead Of Night

IN a move that has been described by the Bengal CPI(M) as ‘unwarranted and undemocratic,’ two offices of the Party at Keshpur in the district of Midnapore west were raided by the police and the CPMF at the dead of the night of April 4-5, between 12:30 a m and 2:30 a m.

The raids, it has been alleged, followed after instructions were issued by an Observer deputed by the Election Commission of India.

The police and the forces of the CPMF then went on to raid the houses of CPI(M) leaders of the locality.

What has been especially disturbing has been the fact that four local chiefs of the Trinamul Congress accompanied the police force during both raids; this is an unsightly throwback to the 1970’s when the Pradesh Congress goons would do similar ‘honours.’

The Bengal CPI(M) in a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner has protested the action and has exhorted upon the Election Commission to make an enquiry as to how an Observer without executive powers could order the raids.

The Bengal CPI(M) has also urged upon the Election Commission to ensure that such occurrences were not allowed to recur in the days to come.  

(B P)