CPI-ML New Democracy, Democratic Rights

Use of UAPA Against Activists of Bhangar Movement Condemned

CPI(ML)-New Democracy strongly condemns foisting of cases under UAPA against 11 activists of Bhangar movement in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. People of Bhangar had launched protests against the loss of land and livelihood, and environmental damage due to construction of power grid sub-station of the public sector Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).

Mamata Bannerjee Govt. has mounted a serious attack against this people’s agitation. Police had fired upon the peaceful agitators on January 17 killing two of them and injuring several others. Now the police has arrested 11 activists of the movement including Com. P.S. Thakur and Sharmishtha Choudhary and foisted the black law, the UAPA’s provisions against them. CPI(ML)-New Democracy demands that UAPA provisions should be withdrawn against these activists and all those arrested in connection with Bhangar movement should be immediately and unconditionally released.

CPI(ML)-New Democracy which has always condemned the black legislation, UAPA, strongly denounces the foisting of cases under this black law against these activists. State Govts. including West Bengal Govt. has been using this black law against the leaders of the people’s struggles.

CPI(ML)-New Democracy supports the struggle of people of Bhangar for their land, livelihood and against deleterious environmental effects of this project.