Memo to Election Commission: West Bengal Elections

February 7, 2011

 

 

Dear Sir,

 

In continuation of our representation before you dated January 21, 2011, we are presenting our specific area-wise concerns which pose a challenge for the holding of peaceful, free and fair elections for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly in some parts of the state.

 

But, at the outset, before going into these specific facts, we would like to draw your attention to certain observations from the Election Commission. That West Bengal elections have been historically violence-prone is a claim which is not borne out by facts. On the contrary, West Bengal has a very positive record of peaceful elections. Further, West Bengal’s electoral history is unique characterized by abnormally heavy voter turnout underlining the peaceful, free and fair character with massive popular participation under the strictest scrutiny of the EC. A number of times the Election Commission and its observers have put these on record. Particularly during the 2006 elections, the EC had organized it under unprecedented security arrangements. So much so, that the elections were held in five phases and both security and other election officials were largely drawn from outside the state. Unfortunately, overlooking this history and making ahistorical observations can only lead to interpretations which will help partisan interests. 

 

The situation, as we had stated on January 21, is, indeed, serious in certain areas. This is largely due to the nexus between the Maoists and the Trinamul Congress. More developments have taken place since which bring out the brazenness of this complicit relationship. Now, this nexus is not operating covertly but quite in the open. A meeting was held in Lalgarh jointly sponsored by the Trinamul Congress and the People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) on January 30. This was addressed, amongst others, by Shri Shishir Adhikari and Shri Mukul Roy – both Ministers of State in the Union Government and front-ranking TMC leaders. Both the print and the electronic media have reported banners, festoons and flags alongwith the actual presence of PCPA in the meeting. Incidentally, PCPA has been described by the Home Minister as a frontal organisation of the Maoists – on the floor of the Rajya Sabha itself. The CBI chargesheet in the Gyaneswari Express tragedy has established the involvement of the PCPA in the gruesome incidents where deliberate sabotage had led to the death of 150 innocent people. On January 31, two Maoists were apprehended from the so-called relief camp run by the TMC in the Congress-TMC led Midnapur municipality’s Guest House. Communications with the top Maoist leadership, including Kishanji, was recovered from these arrested Maoists. Media has also reported that questioning of these two have led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition which were hidden under the ground. 

 

The open involvement of a major political force which is a part of the UPA coalition at the Centre with the Maoists may adversely affect the coming election process. This will create difficulties for the maintenance of a peaceful atmosphere, despite the state administration’s best efforts. Efforts by the administration have led to recovery of a large cache of firearms and other lethal weapons. The joint security operations has also been able to largely restore normalcy in large part of the affected districts. However, the new feature, as stated above, is the open complicity between the TMC and Maoists that makes the task of the security forces more difficult as seen in the resistance to arrest of two Maoists from the TMC relief camp and the subsequent insinuations by the TMC against the police administration.

 

We would like to further inform the Election Commission that the joint forces have conducted a thorough search for the so-called `armed camps’ on the basis of a list submitted by the opposition before the Hon’ble High Court. The Commandant of the CRPF has publicly gone on record that the operations did not establish the existence of `armed camps’. But people evicted by violence were found to be living in those camps and that their names were being listed systematically by the security forces. Arrangements must be made by the EC to ensure that such displaced voters in areas like Nandigram, Khejuri and other parts of East Midnapur are allowed to exercise their franchise. However, the improvement of the situation has not been able to stop `individual annihilation’ of CPI(M) and Left cadre which continue to take place.  In fact, since the noise over `armed camps’ reached a crescendo more than a dozen Left activists have been killed by the Maoists. One cannot escape an uncomfortable conclusion that such propaganda of disinformation has only emboldened the TMC-Maoist to mount greater terror. On this 4^th of February, a CPI(M) sympathizer, Baidyanath Jana, an employee of a school was shot dead by the TMC-Maoist nexus in Nayagram, in the Jangal Mahal area of West Midnapur district. 

 

Given this, the first specific concern arises from the geographic features of the state with its long borders with Jharkhand and Orissa. In fact, these borders are in many cases under forest cover. Therefore, it is that much easier   for the Maoists to cross over and conduct operations. The Ayodhya hills and its adjoining blocks of Purulia district like Bandwan, Balrampur, Arsha, Baghmundi, Jhalda-I and II and Jaipur are particularly vulnerable from the security point of view. Similarly, Khairasol, Rajnagar, Mohd Bazar, Rampurhat, Nalhati of Birbhum district have borders with Jharkhand. Of late, as the situation improved in Jangalmahal, increased operations by Maoists have been noticed in Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts. It is necessary for the EC to address this question of vulnerability in the border areas from a security point of view and may be consider the sealing of the state borders from the time of announcement of elections.

 

Further, we would like to draw the attention of the EC to specific assembly segments, villages and gram panchayats where terror has been let loose with an arms build up.   We are attaching as annexure detailed district-wise information. 

 

Unfortunately, the visit of the set of observers to study law and order exclusively on the basis of allegations by the opposition has created some doubts in the minds of the people. During the visit of the observers, there are complaints that even after specific efforts were made, the representatives of Left parties could not meet these observers. This was most particularly evident in Purba Midnapur district. 

 

We hope that the Election Commission will initiate appropriate steps to address these concerns to instill the required sense of confidence.

 

With regards,

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

MP (Leader, Rajya Sabha)                     Member, Central Secretariat

Member, Polit Bureau, CPI(M)                        CPI(M)

 

 

Member of Parliament                          Member of Parliament, CPI

Secretary, National Council, CPI

Member of Parliament                          Member of Parliament

Secretary, RSP                                    Member, Central Secretariat

 

 

 

 

 

259 Khandoghosh Assembly constituency:

 

There have been major instances of violence in Bonai Chandi Gram Panchayat. Miscreants belonging to TMC have demolished CPI (M) Party office in the village market, injured several CPI (M) activists and gutted 62 houses. Most of these belong to the poor people. Similar violence has been experienced in village Kulchura, Kamalpur and Khejurhati.

 

260 Burdwan Dakshin Assembly constituency:

 

There have been instances of violence with CPI (M) office and residences of CPI (M) workers attacked in Lakshmipurmath, Khagragarh, Badshahi Road, Mehedibagan areas of this district town. There is a strong possibility of violence in the run-up to elections. 

 

261 Raina Assembly constituency :

 

The main centre which has been affected by violence is the Hijalna Gram Panchayat. As a result of violence unleashed by TMC miscreants, a large number of CPI (M) activists had to leave the village. Still over 50 supporters of the CPI (M) have to remain outside for the fear of lives. Two CPI (M) activists have been killed in this area and several grievously injured. What makes the violence most unacceptable is the fact that this is being led by a Minister of State of Government of India Shri Mukul Ray and an MP, Subhendu Adhikari who are openly seen accompanied with some of the miscreants against whom FIR has been lodged for the killings and widespread violence. 

 

262 Jamalpur Assembly constituency:

 

The affected villages are Kora, Shaly and Math-Shaly. The violence took the form of physical attacks on CPI (M) local leaders, ransacking of houses and looting.

 

 

 

The major violence affected areas are Aruar and Mahata Gram Panchayat. Physical attacks, eviction of Party activists are taking place.

 

269 Purbasthali Assembly constituency :

 

There have been several attacks by TMC miscreants.

 

 

 

Khandra and Rajput grama panchayats remain affected by violence led by the TMC miscreants. Certain villages like Knartari, Ratanpur, Serandi, Dadhia under Pancha gram panchayat and Khalipur and Bamudi villages under Morgram, Bhopalpur gram panchayat also remain affected by violence. Seven villagers from Amburia and one each from Morgram, Khalipur villages have been killed during these period since last Lok Sabha elections. A large number of villagers and CPI(M) activists cannot live in their homes. 

 

272 Mongolkote Assembly constituency : Following the killing of a CPI(M) leader and elected member of the Burdwan zilla parishad – Falguni Mukherjee an elected member of the Burdwan zilla parishad on June 16, 2009, terror has been unleashed and during the panchayat bye-elections, 12 booths were rigged by the TMC. Villages under Nakuria and Gotistha gram panchayats have been attacked by TMC miscreants. CPI(M) workers from villages like Siur, Kalyanapur, Mallikput, Amdob, Chakda, Kotalghosh have been attacked and injured. A number of CPI(M) activists have been forced out of their villages.

 

 

This district is worst affected by Maoist violence. The scale of violence can be gauged that over 259 Left leaders and activists have been killed in the three districts of West Midnapur, Bankura and Purulia as on February 4 of which 192 in West Midnapur alone. The special feature of the violence and killings in West Midnapur has been a close interrelationship between the holding of meetings by top leaders of the TMC and immediate fallout in terms of these killings. The highly publicized meeting addressed by Ms. Mamata Banerjee on August 9, 2010 in Lalgarh was followed by the killing of Santosh Datta in Belpahari, Nirmal Mahato in Therua on August 13 and Nishikanto Naik and Shankar Jana on August 14 in Nayagram block. These are all areas which have borders with Jharkhand and Orissa. In the last five months, Sukhendu Adhikari has addressed open meetings 24 times. He has addressed meetings in the Jhargram block eight times. It is immediately after these meetings, spate of killings have taken place. There have been open threats issued to the villagers by Maoists and their frontal organisation – PCPA – to attend meetings which were to be addressed by these leaders. While Maoists have imposed road blocks to disrupt normalcy, such actions have been withdrawn to facilitate the movement and visits of Shri Adhikari. Maoist squad members have been arrested even from the vehicles of TMC leaders. Dreaded Maoist squad member, Kanchan Deb Singh was apprehended from the car where he was traveling alongwith the Trinamul Youth Congress district president, Debasish Choudhury, and TMC Shalboni block president Jaipal Singh. There are charges of 14 murders pending against Kanchan. 

 

 

The district is most severely affected by violence unleashed by the TMC. The worst affected areas are Nandigram, Khejuri, parts of Mugberia, Bhagwanpur, Patashpur and Contai. Separately a list of the names of those killed since the last Lok Sabha elections and people who have been rendered homeless is being separately forwarded. 

 

A large number of anti-socials are actually rooming freely who are severally charged in different FIR registered with the concerned police stations.    There have been instances where miscreants who had been accused in major acts of crime have been sought to be snatched away from police custody by the TMC. 

 

It will be pertinent to mention that major revelations has been made regarding the complicity of the Maoists in the Nandigram flair up which must be available with the state administration. These include statements by Maoist leaders and the depositions of Maoists in custody. 

 

Therefore, the Commission is required to make special arrangements for this district. 

 

There is a special situation in the three hill sub-divisions of the district. You must be aware that the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) has unleashed a rein of terror in the name of agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state. They are forcing blockades, illegal bandhs and the democratic atmosphere is in complete jeopardy. No non GJMM organisation or political party is allowed to carry out legitimate activity and public programmes. The most blatant example was the murder of late Shri Madan Tamang, President, All Bengal Gorkha League – a respected leader in broad daylight while he was addressing a public meeting. The CPI(M) activists in Bijanbare, Sonada and Kalimpong area and tea gardens of Garidhura area are being assaulted forcing some of our organisers to leave their homes. 

 

They have recently called a continuous bandh in the hills and openly declared that tourists should not visit the area while students appearing for public examinations should be prepared to loose one year. 

 

We would request you to recall the experience of the last Lok Sabha election where the polling in these three hill sub-divisions degenerated into a farce where most of the booths were physically captured by the GJMM workers with all EVMs being taken under the virtual control of local GJMM/BJP election machinery. It will be pertinent to mention that more than 90 per cent of the polled votes was secured by the BJP candidate while no others were allowed to campaign. 

 

The situation on the ground has changed in the wake of the murder of Madan Tamang. Therefore, GJMM is further concentrating on terrorizing the people and this poses a real challenge to the holding of free and fair elections in the hills. This warrants a special intervention of the EC including a visit of the Commission members themselves in the hills. 

 

 

This is one of the districts which was badly affected by Maoist violence in complicity with the TMC particularly affected were the areas of Ranibandh and Sarenga PS areas. 

 

Though the situation has generally improved, there are certain points where the TMC have organized armed camps under four police station areas. The details of these camps are as follows:

 

 

 

1) Indas PS

a) Karishunda gram panchayat – i) Lakshman Modak’s shop (Laku Moira, Bandherpar) ii) Fadilpur - Amit Baran Chandra Deb (Bagdi)’s house, iii) Karishunda – Gul Mohd.’s house

b) Indas gram panchayat – i) Kotir Pukurerpar (Hajrapara) ii) Indas Midjapur Sk. Kasem’s hosue

c) Rol gram panchayat – i) Somsar Chaudhuri Riaz’s house ii) Barul Sagar Ghose’s house iii) Gopalnagar - Sayed Hosan’s chamber iv) Rol Purbapara club v) Bagicha Bandh - Tinkari Mondal’s house

d) Amrul gram panchayat i) Shantashram – Mohd’s stationery shop ii) Patrapanti – Gopal Barat’s sweet shop

e) Indas-2 gram panchayat – i) Khoshbagh – Rezac Sahab’s house ii) Kumrul – Samser Mallik’s shop

f) Shashpur gram panchayat – i) Namo Dharampur – Sk. Tapan’s house

 

2) Bishnupur PS

 

a) Vacant PHE quarter (East and South) within Bishnupur municipality office campus. 

b) Municipal Domitry, College Road, Ward No. 3

 

3) PS Patra Sayaar

 

a) Patra Sayaar Dakshin Para – Snehesh Mukherjee’s house and the Samiti office of the Kamars

b) Bamira – Nabapal’s house

c) Baraban – Tarashidh’s house

d) Dhagria bus stand – Sk. Mannan’s house

e) Fakir Danga – Mohar Midda’s house in Barquatchowk

f) Arabinda Panja’s house

g) Shimul Danga – Gunamay Mondal’s house

 

The areas where the activities of the anti-socials sponsored by the TMC are still continuing include Karambakuli (village Bhagwanpur, Dhan Simla area, Dhan Simla village), village Balrampur (Manik Bazar area), village Kalipur (Purban Basan area), village Palshara (Dhulai area), village Dhulai, Samanta Bera village and Radha Ramanpur village (Daripara area)

 

 

Separate exhaustive memorandum by the District Committee of the CPI(M) is being forwarded to the Commission. 

 

The specific areas affected by violence unleashed by the TMC include large parts of Barrakpore sub-division including Barrakpore, Kanchapara, Titagarh, Naihati. The other majorly affected area is Shashan area under Barasat block and parts of Harwa and Minakha areas adjoining Bhangar of South 24 Paraganas district. In many of the instances, local MPs of Trinamul Congress and the Minister of State Mukul Ray, the leader of the opposition in the Assembly Partho Chatterjee have been actively involved in the planning and execution of the acts of violence.