People's Democracy

WEST BENGAL

Martyrs Number Crosses Hundred

From Our Special Correspondent

THE unending list of  martyrs of Left Parties in West Bengal, after Trinamul government came to power,  has crossed hundred on June 23 when two CPI(M) workers were killed in Rejinagar in Murshidabad disatrict. In Rejinagar, a group of CPI(M) activists were attacked when they were returning after campaigning in panchayat elections. Comrade Debsharan Ghosh and Comrade Amar Ghosh were shot dead on the spot. The Congress party backed miscreants were behind the murderous attack in which two more CPI(M) workers including a candidate suffered serious injuries. The number of martyrs, however, saw an immediate addition as Comrade Ramjiban Khamary of Gopiballavpur in West Midnapore succumbed to his injury. Khamary, 66, was attacked a few days ago in his village house in a gruesome manner by a gang of TMC miscreants. He was being treated in SSKM hospital in Kolkata where he breathed his last on June 25. He was 101st Left martyr after TMC came to office on May 13, 2011.

Among the districts, Burdwan lost the highest number of Left workers, totaling 17. In Murshidabad 16 comrades were killed, while the number in West Midnapore is 11. Among those who were killed, three were women, 31 belonged to minority sections and nine were adivasis.

The first fatal attack came on May 14, 2011 in Garbeta in West Midnapore where Comrade Jiten Nandi was brutally murdered. In 2011, from May to December, 54 comrades were killed. In 2012, the number was 31. And, in 2013, till date 16 Left activists were killed. In last one month, after the preparation and campaign for panchayat elections picked up, eight Left Front activists were murdered.

District wise list of 101 CPI (M) and Left Front leaders, activists and supporters murdered from  May 14, 2011