West Bengal: Release CPI(M) Leaders 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) condemns the brutal police assault on a peaceful protest in Purba Bardhaman district headquarters in West Bengal.

Over 250 CPI(M) activists and leaders were seriously injured and over 170 were arrested. 41 of these, including Central Committee member of CPI(M) Comrade Abhas Roy Choudhury, have been denied bail and imprisoned.

On August 31 every year, civil disobedience  movements are held at all district headquarters in Bengal marking the martyrdom of over 80 people who were killed in the historic food movement in 1959.  Without provocation, the police unleashed first water cannons, then a brutal lathi-charge and teargas on the peaceful protestors who were marching to meet the District Magistrate at his office. 

Such an attack on peaceful protestors and people's democratic rights is not acceptable.  The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands the unconditional release of CPI(M) leaders, withdrawal of false cases and necessary action against the police personnel for unleashing this unprovoked assault.