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Sunday, Dec 31, 2006
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Protest rallies by Left

Staff Reporter

Parties stage demonstrations in Delhi against Saddam's execution

— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

AGAINST U.S. IMPERIALISM: Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists, led by Brinda Karat, at a demonstration near the American Centre in New Delhi on Saturday to condemn the execution of the former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein.

NEW DELHI: Members of various Left organisations on Saturday staged demonstrations, protesting against the execution of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussain and demanding immediate cessation of all India-U.S. military and diplomatic relations.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists, led by Brinda Karat, MP, clashed with the police as they marched towards the U.S. Information Service office here.

The Socialist Unity Centre of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), the CPI (ML) New Democracy and the National Panthers Party staged demonstrations.

Holding placards and shouting anti-Bush and anti-United States slogans, the protesters termed the treatment meted out to "India's friend" Saddam Hussein as an "ugly example of U.S. imperialism."

"The United States is making all attempts to dominate over the people, particularly those of the Third World, violating all democratic and civil norms and principles of international law," said Kumudini Pati, Central Committee member of the CPI (ML) Liberation.

Workers stopped

The American Center on Kasturba Gandhi Marg here was the focal point of all protests.

However, workers of various parties, who began a march from Jantar Mantar, were stopped by police on Tolstoy Marg.

The protesters burnt the U.S. flag and effigies of U.S. President George W. Bush. Calling Mr. Bush a "war-criminal," one group even carried out his mock hanging.

CPI (ML) New Democracy leaders criticised the United Nations and all other international fora for failing to stop the murder of an "Iraqi patriot who led his people to defy American imperialism."

The protesters extended their support to the people of Iraq and urged the Government of India to convey the country's strong condemnation of the execution and demanded immediate withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces from the strife-torn country.

Several other parties and Muslim organisations organised marches in different parts of the country.

Bandhs were observed in many cities.

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