CPI(M) and the Left Front will unleash a wave of struggles on the burning issues of people in the state. The preparation and campaign for mobilising people has already started. This will be coordinated with the Party Central Committee’s call for the August campaign.

All the Left peasant and agricultural workers’ organisations have decided to march towards Nabanna, the state secretariat on August 10. In a first of its kind, peasants from all over the state will gather at five points surrounding Nabanna, which has been fortified with cordons of security. The march will take place on 16 point demands that includes governmental initiative in procurement of paddy and jute, work and minimum wages for agricultural workers, loans for peasants, crop insurance, and implementation of MNREGA. The peasant organisations have also protested the spurning of names under public distribution.

The CPI(M)  has decided to launch a massive struggle against huge hike in the electricity charges in the state. Under the TMC rule, electricity charges have witnessed continuous and hefty hikes, particularly burdening the domestic users. Both state enterprises like WBSEB, DPL, DVC and private company like CESC have taken advantage of state government’s attitude and flinched users. The CPI(M) has decided to go for an intensive campaign on the issue and organise local level meetings and conventions to mobilise people. At the peak of that, there will be sit-in and blockade in front of headquarters of CESC and State Electricity Board on September 9-10. After the CPI(M) state committee meeting on July 27, the Party has declared that more militant struggles would be launched to force authorities to cut down charges.

The Party will also take up vigorously the issue of chit fund victims, who have been duped by fraudsters like Saradha and others. It has been reported that during the TMC rule, nearly 1700 small and big such companies have collected nearly 2 lakh crores from the market.

A large number of people, even poor and low-earning families, are being stripped off their right to public distribution under the pretext of National Food Security Act. The Party has decided to mobilise people on the issue. There will be struggle for a universal public distribution system.

Already massive campaign has started for the all India general strike on September 2. 17 Left parties in the state have jointly extended their support to this call and have called upon the people to observe a total strike on that day.

Bullet Instead of Relief

CPI(M) Activist Killed in Flood-hit Village

HE went to seek relief for the flood-stricken villagers. But Abu Bakkar Koyal, a CPI(M) activist was killed when TMC activists fired on him. The murder took place in broad daylight, before the eyes of the villagers. Another gruesome episode was added to the TMC rule in West Bengal on July 28.

Large areas of West Bengal have been inundated after heavy rains in July. In most of the areas of Birbhum, Burdwan, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas, relief operations are too meagre or absent. Thousands of people are spending harrowing days in flood waters. In Minakha block of North 24 Parganas, many villages have been flooded and villagers had to take shelter in safer areas. Whatever relief materials were provided, TMC leaders grabbed them and distributed at their whims, ignoring even the elected panchayat members. Dakkhin Bargar village was denied any relief as the villagers are mostly CPI(M) supporters. The panchayat member from the village is also a CPI(M) nominee. The villagers were desperately in need of tarpaulin and other relief materials. CPI(M) activist Abu Bakkar Koyal led the villagers to TMC leaders’ houses from where relief materials were distributed. According to eye witnesses, Abu Bakkar questioned Mansur Mollah, a local TMC leader and some other ruling party activists why no relief is provided for the village. He was bluntly told that as Dakkhin Bargar has supported CPI(M), no relief would be sent there. Abu Bakkar demanded that the relief should be distributed by elected panchayat members rather than from ruling party leaders’ houses. As altercation followed, police arrived at the spot. But with police standing like mute spectator, Mansur Mollah and TMC activists attacked Bakkar and fired upon him. He was killed on the spot. Enraged villagers chased the killers and caught hold of five of them. Police neither attempted to stop TMC activists from attacking, nor showed any urgency to nab the culprits. It was the villagers who handed over assassins to the police.

Dakkhin Bargar and adjoining areas witnessed intense terror in the last four years. Four CPI(M) activists have been murdered so far in this area. Armed gangs of TMC openly roam in these villages. Panchayats have become dens of corruption. Residents of Dakkhin Bargar were forced to take shelter in primary schools after many houses were washed away in the floods. It was for them that the popular CPI(M) activist, Abu Bakkar went to seek relief.

CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Misra strongly condemned the killing and said, in the TMC rule people are killed when they seek flood relief.

CPI(M) leaders rushed to the village located in a geographically remote area and consoled the victim’s family. The villagers are, however united and their resolve has been strengthened. They told Party leaders that come what may, Dakkhin Bargar would not surrender.