ATTACK ON STUDENTS FOUR Left students’ organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India called for a rally and demonstration in Kolkata on April 2, on the second anniversary of martyrdom of Sudipta Gupta, who was killed in police custody. The rally was called with a demand of proper investigation of that incident, against rampant privatisation of higher education in the state, against corruption in teachers’ recruitment etc. Students from all over the state assembled at College Street at about 12 pm. Thousands of students, with posters and photos of Sudipta rallied there. The rally was addressed by Biman Basu, SFI all India secretary Ritabrata Banerjee and student leaders. After the meeting, a procession marched towards Esplanade area. The rally reached Rani Rashmoni Road. There was a police barricade, made with road dividers. Even before the slogan shouting students could reach towards those dividers, a section of police force came forward to charge them. They started beating students without any provocation. The students, instead of backing out, forced their way towards barricades. Braving lathi charge, girls were seen moving forward. The police was finally forced to go backwards. Altogether 61 students were injured. Among them, 10 received serious injuries. More than 50 students were treated in hospitals. SFI state committee member Soumen Mitra suffered head injuries. At least 10 girl students bled profusely. As Ritabrata Banerjee and Debjyoti Das, SFI state secretary were trying to save their comrades, their shirts were soaked in blood. It was a gory sight in Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, where students were admitted or treated. Biman Basu, Suryakanta Misra, Shyamal Chakraborty and other CPI(M) leaders rushed to hospitals. The brutal attack evoked strong condemnation from all quarters. The protest against this attack sparked off statewide road blockade on the next day. Apart from the SFI, PSU, AISF and SB, DSO and AISA participated in blockades. Left youth organisations also came on the streets to express solidarity with students. Highways and main streets were blocked in all districts including Kolkata. As a continuation of the protest in unique form, SFI activists visited police stations and offered policemen roses. ATTACK & RESISTANCE IN KAMARHATI Ruling TMC’s campaign of terror on the eve of municipal elections reached to a new proportion in Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas on April 6. TMC hooligans brutally attacked frontline CPI(M) leaders in Belghoria, a traditional stronghold of the Left. A mob of bike-borne anti-socials, led by TMC local candidate, attacked the house of CPI(M) local committee secretary Nandalal Basu and mercilessly thrashed him. His family members, including his 75 year old mother were beaten. The hooligans also prevented the neighbours from taking the injured to doctor. CPI(M) district leaders, on getting the news, rushed to the spot. The hooligans attacked the car of CPI(M) North 24 Parganas district secretariat member and CITU leader Subhash Mukherjee and SFI state secretary Debajyoti Das and beat them. CPI(M) district secretariat member and former MLA of Kamarhati Manash Mukherjee was taken out of another car and was ruthlessly beaten up. These anti-socials also tried to throw him into a pond. Mukherjee suffered serious injuries. The entire episode happened in front of police, who remained unperturbed. The local Party workers somehow rescued the leaders and they were admitted to a hospital. Meanwhile police showed their true colours when they arrested the brother of injured LCS and CPI(M) candidate. Instead of being cowed down, Kamarhati rose in protest. On the next morning, a massive rally marched through the streets and submitted a deputation to the police station demanding the arrest of the culprits. A 10-hour bandh was observed on April 8. On the 8th evening, thousands of people gathered in a protest march and rally at the spot of attack itself. In the huge public meeting, Suryakanta Misra, CPI(M) state secretary strongly criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said, these attacks are a cover-up for the all-round failure of her government. The state administration and police have shed off even the semblance of neutrality. The ruling party is afraid to face the people. However, these attacks will fail to prevent the struggle of the Left parties. Left Front Chairman Biman Basu called upon the people to raise their voice to defend democratic principles in the state. CPI state secretary Prabodh Panda, RSP leader Manoj Bhattacharya also addressed the meeting. MASSIVE PROTEST RALLY The mood of resistance was reflected in the massive rally of the Left Front in Kolkata on April 7. The rally was called to protest against the Land Ordinance of the centre as well as highlighting the important issues of the people. It turned out to be a protest against atrocities of the ruling party. Tens of thousands of people participated in the rally which started from Mahajati Sadan in north Kolkata to Rani Rasmoni Road in the central part. The entire stretch of 5 km road turned red, with human waves. All sections of people, trade unions, mass organisations took part in the rally, called at a short notice. ‘We demand immediate withdrawal of the Land Ordinance. This is anti-farmer and anti-constitutional. We are protesting against it,’ Left Front Chairman Biman Basu said while addressing the rally. He also castigated the TMC for financial corruption and swindling of money.