People's Democracy

SFI Leader Brutally Killed

From Our Special

Correspondent in Kolkata

SFI leader Saifuddin Mollah was brutally murdered in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district on 19th January. Saifuddin, a post graduate student,  was the president of Baruipur 2 rural local committee of SFI and was returning to his home in Sitakundu Bazar from a public meeting addressed by Suryakanta Mishra, the leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly. He was forcibly kidnapped by Trinamool Congress goons and taken to a secluded place. He was mercilessly beaten, the entire body showed signs of savage torture. The news of his kidnapping reached to his family also and his brother rushed out to search for him. He even reached to the spot but was cordoned by the TMC assassins. Saifuddin was severely injured and was craving for a drop of water. But his brother was not allowed to do so. Meanwhile, the police was informed but they reached to the spot almost after two hours. Police brought Saifuddin to hospital where he was declared ‘brought dead’.

Saifuddin Mollah was the son of a poor family; he supported his studies by teaching in a local coaching centre. He was very popular among the school students at the centre. A well-behaved and always available for social work, Saifuddin was a popular figure in the area. He was a member of CPI(M). He was only 23.

This murder once again brought the memory of SFI leader Sudipta Gupta, who faced death in police custody on 02nd April, 2013. Sudipta was taken into custody when SFI organised a militant demonstration demanding holding of students’ union elections in the state. 

Saifuddin Mollah was killed at a time when an all-out attack is being perpetrated against SFI in West Bengal. Elections to students’ unions are taking place in the state. In most of the colleges, TMC has not allowed any opposition organisation to contest. SFI activists were attacked, beaten mercilessly in many colleges in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, Siliguri, South Dinajpur, Maldaha. TMC goons, with active support from police, have virtually seized the colleges and universities and SFI could contest only after bloodshed wherever possible.

Suryakanta Misra went to meet the family of Saifuddin on the next day. He was accompanied by CPI(M) district secretary Sujan Chakraborty, Party leaders Abdur Rezzak Mollah, Kanti Ganguly and others. The parents of the martyr broke down and asked whether attending a CPI(M) rally is a crime! In fact, the entire village raised the same question. The young students of the coaching centre were seen crying and lamented that now their dear teacher has been murdered they would be rendered orphan. Misra went to the coaching centre and assured that the studies would be continued. CPI(M) will help in maintaining the centre.

SFI and DYFI organised a protest march in Kolkata and blocked the main thoroughfare of the city. SFI all India general secretary Ritabrata Banerjee was present in the march.  A protest day was observed throughout the state on 21st January. 

The central executive committee of SFI in a statement  condemned the killing and said, this incident reflects the perils that democracy today finds itself in the state of West Bengal. Since the 2011 assembly elections 143 left supporters and activists have been killed. Resistance to the attacks on the democratic rights and civil liberties of citizens in the state has become important for ensuring democracy throughout the country.

The CEC of SFI also expressed solidarity with the brave and heroic struggles students in Bengal.