The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday denied involvement in the killing of two senior CPI(M) leaders in Burdwan town, claiming the two were victims of “mob fury”.
Party leader and Law Minister Moloy Ghatak said “Trinamool Congress was not involved in the incident. The two CPI(M) leaders Pradip Tah and Kamal Gayen were victims of mob fury after armed processionists went on the rampage in the area.”
Ghatak claimed that Tah, a former CPI(M) MLA, was leading an “armed procession” which was taken out without permission in Dewanadighi area of the town in support of the February 28 industrial strike call when the processionists removed a Trinamool Congress flag.
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“When Trinamool Congress worker Bidyut protested, he was severely beaten up by the processionists who also went on the rampage in the nearby areas.
“A small police team arrived to pacify the people and there was a scuffle over the removal of the Trinamool flag,” he said.
“Enraged at this, residents of the area resisted in which Pradip Tah and Kamal Gayen were injured and later died.
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Many people also received injuries in the attack by CPI(M) processionists,” the minister said.
“We have seen incidents like this at Nandigram and Singur and I think that CPI(M) workers became encouraged by the turnout at their Brigade Parade ground rally last Sunday,” Ghatak said.
Asked about the FIRs filed in connection with the incident, he said, “We have seen that selectively Trinamool Congress workers were named in the FIR. The police will inquire about the real accused.”
The minister, however, conceded that each death was shocking and the incident alarming.
The minister said he would leave for Burdwan and stay there on Thursday.