A two day sit-in demonstration by AIDWA in downtown Kolkata expressed strong anger of women against TMC government. The sit-in was organized to protest atrocities against women in the state and ‘murder of democracy’ in the panchayat elections.

The Sit-in was inaugurated by eminent film director Tarun Majumdar. Arjina Bibi- mother of martyr Taimur Gayen, who was killed on the day of Panchayat elections, urged with deep emotion to steadfastly fight against terror tactics of the ruling party. She said, “One of my sons has lost his eye in the attack of TMC, another lost his life.  Even if I lose another son I will not succumb to these goons”. Hafijul Mollah was murdered in Bhangar. His sister-in-law Sanchita Bibi asserted that they would never take money as compensation from this state government. In Kakdwip, Debu Das and his wife Usha Das were killed brutally. Their son Dipankar Das, addressing the sit-in said, “ I lost my mother but here I find my mothers”. One after another family members of the martyrs, of those who are fighting false cases and torture narrated their sufferings as well as their unswerving commitment to fight against the TMC government.

AIDWA state secretary Kaninika Ghosh and state President Anju Kar said, this sit-in is the beginning of a larger struggle against the forces of anarchy.

Sit-in continued throughout the night. On the midnight, a torch rally was organized.

On the second day too, women activists described their chronicles of struggle. Rakhi Roy of Arambagh, Chobi Oran of Kanksa, Ayesha Begum of Murshidabad narrated how they fought against TMC terror during Panchayat elections. AIDWA all India President Malini Bhattacharya congratulated women for the resistance and courage that they showed during the elections.

After the meeting, women began their protest march. The rally broke through the police barricades and began to march forward. The police attacked them. They were beaten up. Hundreds of women activists blocked the road. Rani Rashmoni Road was blocked and marchers moved towards assembly house. Police cordoned off the entire area and began to arrest women activists. More than 150 activists, including Malini Bhattacharya, Minati Ghosh, Rekha Goswami, AIDWA state President and Secretary respectively were also arrested. They were taken to Kolkata police head quarters and were released at the night.