A LEFT Front delegation, led by chairman Biman Basu encountered attacks from Trinamool workers in Burdwan when they tried to resettle the Left supporters who had been forcibly driven out of the village.

The incident, another example of ruthless atrocities by ruling party goons, took place on July 14 in Hatgobindapur village. The entire village has witnessed cruel torture by TMC hooligans after Lok Sabha elections. Many CPI(M) supporters have been driven out of the village. Particularly the male members of many families are forced to live outside. Houses have been burnt, lands have been forcibly occupied, even the school children are not being allowed to go to school. Physical violence and harassment by police have become an everyday affair in this traditionally Left-leaning village.

Biman Basu, along with CPI(M) leader Madan Ghosh, Rabin Deb, CPI state secretary Manjukumar Majumdar, RSP leader Manoj Bhattacharya, Forward Block leader Naren Chatterjee and others including JD(U) leader Sunil Yadav  went to visit the village. They also took initiative so that the homeless can return safely. The entire programme was announced and permission was taken from the administration. But as the Left Front delegation moved into the area, TMC workers tried to block them. They menacingly threatened the leaders in obscene language, tried to push them away in places. Even the local police was chased away by the TMC goons. Left Front leaders braved these attacks and visited the village, interacted with the villagers, listened to their woes. However, it was impossible for the homeless to stay back and the local administration refused to assure safety for them.

Later Biman Basu told media persons, the district of Burdwan has become terror-stricken. Left Front activists have been killed, more than 1700 bighas of land have been forcibly taken away from the peasants, 2615 Left activists have been charged in false cases, many suffering in prison. In Hatgobindapur, peasants became landless, even the children are not spared from violence. The ruling party in West Bengal has declared a war against the people.

Protests Condemn

Attack on Gaza

WEST Bengal burst in protest to condemn the aggression by Israel on Gaza. Thousands participated in protest rallies all over the state.  The Left Front called upon the democratic people of the state to come out in support of the Palestinian people. Left Front chairman Biman Basu urged all sections of people to come onto the streets to protest against the barbaric aggression of Israel.

The protest actions started from July 10 and continued through the week. On July 13, the entire state reverberated the condemnation as CPI(M) and Left mass organisations took out processions in every district. The rallies were organised in Siliguri, Balurghat, Bangshihari, Raiganj, Kaliaganj, Kumarganj, Alipurduar, Baharampur, Bankura, Mejia, Burdwan town, Durgapur, Howrah, Halisahar, Shyamnagar and Baruipur. SFI and DYFI took out a large procession in Midnapore town. In Kolkata, street corner meetings were held demanding action from the Indian government.

12 Left students and youth organisations took out a rally in Kolkata on July 16. The rally reflected indignation against Israel with fierce slogans.

The Left Front organised central rally in Kolkata on July 17 afternoon. The rally traversed from Moulali in central Kolkata to Park Circus.