Kolkata
The CPI(M) has lodged a complaint with the Calcutta High Court, accusing the West Bengal police of excessive interference in preventing party leaders and independent human rights activists from reaching Jaynagar. This move comes after 16 houses belonging to CPI(M) activists were set ablaze on November 13 in retaliation for the murder of local Trinamool Congress leader Saifuddin Lashkar earlier that day. In the plea submitted by CPI(M) leader and Calcutta High Court counsel Sayan Bandopadhyay, it is asserted that not only party leaders but also independent human rights activists have been barred by the police from approaching the Doluya Khaki village in Jaynagar, where the arson incident occurred. Additionally, even individuals or groups attempting to provide relief items to the residents of the charred houses were denied access. The petition has been accepted by the Calcutta High Court’s bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, and the hearing is scheduled for either the latter part of the second half of the court session on Monday or the first half on Tuesday. While the police argue that they are restricting outsiders due to ongoing tensions in the area, the CPI(M) leadership contends that this reasoning does not apply to Trinamool Congress leaders, who have reportedly been visiting the site regularly. The matter adds to the existing tensions in the region, raising concerns about the equitable treatment of political parties by law enforcement agencies.
