People's Democracy

WEST BENGAL

Reign of Terror

in Colleges

From Our Special

Correspondent in Kolkata

TRINAMOOL Congress has unleashed a reign of terror in colleges and universities in West Bengal with the active connivance of state administration. In one after another institution, TMC activists are capturing students’ unions by force in the most brutal manner. Hundreds of students have been beaten up, grievously injured, banned from entering the colleges, and even not permitted to appear for their examinations.

In yet another such incident, SFI activists were attacked brutally in Dinabandhu Andrews College, South 24 Parganas for consecutive two days. The college, situated in Jadavpur area, is well known for Left wing students’ movement for decades. SFI was prevented to collect the nomination forms for the election to the students union scheduled on December 23. On December 13, miscreants and anti-social elements organised from different parts of the district attacked SFI activists and they were not allowed to enter the college premises. Ten SFI activists have been hospitalised with serious injuries. Tanusree Mondal, general secretary of the union was among those who suffered serious injuries. Former all India general secretary of SFI, Kallol Roy, was beaten up and was also hospitalised.

TMC activists gathered in larger numbers the next day in front of the college. They were brought in trucks and bikes, many of them armed. The role of administration was most dubious. Police blocked all the roads towards the college and prevented SFI activists from entering the college, thus allowing only TMC students to collect nomination forms. It was virtually a joint operation of TMC and police. When questioned, the answer from the police officers was simple: “CM knows everything”. It was very clear the whole operation was conducted under guidance from chief minister herself.

But even after this mayhem, the TMC Chatra Parishad was able to submit nominations for only 58 candidates out of total 94, proving that they have no support within the college and it was for this that they had to bring outsiders to forcefully “win” the elections.

The same mob then moved towards Jyotish Roy College in south Kolkata and ransacked the scrutiny of nomination papers there. SFI was also prevented from collecting a single nomination in Gurudas College in Beleghata in east Kolkata. The story was repeated in Srirampore College in Hooghly where they threatened students.

The incident of Andrews College is in consonance with the increasing attacks on the students in particular and the Left supporters in general after the new government took office in West Bengal. Numerous student unions are captured through might with the state administration playing the role of an abettor. SFI activists are not being allowed to even participate in the elections.

SFI central executive committee condemned the attacks and urged all its units to rise in protest against the forces that have been diligent in suppressing the voice of the democratic student community through might and force.

SFI West Bengal state committee has threatened for a continuous students’ strike if such attacks were not stopped immediately.