October 19, 2025
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Left Relief Teams Filling Void in North Bengal Disaster

Samprikta Bose

Responding to the catastrophic flood and landslide devastation in North Bengal, the CPI(M) and allied Left mass organizations— SFI, DYFI and AIDWA—have launched an immediate and unified humanitarian mobilization across the state. This large-scale, coordinated effort is effectively filling a critical vacuum created by the state administration, with activists and volunteers from Kolkata and elsewhere rushing to the affected districts to provide aid, challenge political obstruction, and demand structural relief measures.

The calamity has inflicted irreparable damage, claiming at least 32 lives, destroying thousands of homes, and wiping out crops. The collapse of the iron bridge in Dudhia, Mirik, was a key tragedy. Recognizing the magnitude of the disaster, the CPI(M) initiated a massive, state-wide drive to collect funds and relief materials. Following a appeal from state leadership, funds and aid have been collected from various points across the state, including Siliguri, Haldia, Bankura (Bishnupur), Purshura, Balurghat, and Kolkata. Red Volunteers were deployed with immediate relief supplies from October 5, just hours after the disaster struck the previous night. CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary Md. Salim issued a fervent appeal for solidarity, stating: "This is a moment of unprecedented natural calamity, and the government has failed its people. We urge every citizen of West Bengal to open their hearts and hands; every rupee, every piece of aid collected now is a promise to stand with our brothers and sisters in the North."

Rehabilitation Demands

A delegation led by CPI(M) Central Committee member and Darjeeling District Secretary, Saman Pathak, visited the worst-hit areas of Mirik (Sourini, Nine Mile, and Tharbu Tea Garden). They met with survivors, including the family of 8-year-old Ayushi Chhetri, who perished in a landslide, and witnessed firsthand the profound devastation, noting acute shortages of power and potable drinking water. Survivors expressed intense public anger over the administration’s failure to provide adequate relief or warning despite severe weather forecasts, with many questioning the lack of preventative measures. The Party condemned the government and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) for their absence, noting that the Chief Minister was reportedly attending a carnival while residents were grieving their losses. Pathak asserted that the crisis demands far more than simple compensation, urging the government to immediately declare the situation a 'National Disaster' and provide full rehabilitation for all displaced families. He also demanded land rights for the region’s tea garden workers, while organizations like the All Bengal Teachers Association (ABTA) have stepped up to take responsibility for the education of two siblings orphaned by the disaster. Senior CPI(M) leader and former Minister Asok Bhattacharya added a crucial political dimension, stating: "This catastrophe is directly caused by the unscrupulous, indiscriminate looting of North Bengal's natural resources. The administration's failure to check this predatory extraction of stone, sand, and forest wealth is fundamentally responsible for exacerbating the natural disaster into a humanitarian tragedy."

Student-Youth-Women Lead Relief Work

Complementing the party's political stance and fundraising, the Left student and youth organizations deployed specialized teams to the ground zero of the disaster. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) initiated a large-scale relief and rescue operation, mobilizing resources from the South. Following a one-day public appeal, a dedicated team led by SFI State Secretary Debanjan Dey reached the affected area on the October 9, to begin distribution. Relief material, including dry food, flattened rice, puffed rice and essential sanitary napkins, were distributed across Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri districts. Local SFI units and comrades took the lead in rescue operations, providing drinking water and transport for the sick and injured. The SFI confirms it is continuing to collect money and provide ongoing relief. SFI West Bengal President Pranay Karjyee underscored the governmental void, laying out two critical demands: waivers of tuition fees for all affected students as well as the provision of school uniforms and educational materials; and a movement to protect North Bengal's natural resources against illegal exploitation. Simultaneously, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) launched a massive operation, dispatching a 'relief train' via the Padatik Express from Sealdah Station on the evening of October 8. Youth volunteers traveled with collected essentials to affected areas across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar. Met with profound gratitude, volunteers noted consistent public complaints regarding the complete absence of government administration. DYFI State Secretary, Dhrubajyoti Saha, emphasized the organization's long-term commitment, stating: "The turbulence of nature breaks homes and breaks hearts—yet the young hands reach out to save the people." The DYFI is also continuing to provide relief and vowed to lead a long-term movement to protect North Bengal's ecology. Further broadening the humanitarian aid footprint, the women's organisation, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), has deployed its units for critical local relief work while actively combating obstruction and threats from local TMC goons to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable in Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, and other districts. AIDWA has launched a state-wide fund collection drive to sustain the humanitarian effort, affirming its commitment to addressing both the natural calamity and political obstacles.