Kolkata, June 02: A worker of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) who was injured in firing by a policeman during the May 30 civic elections died early on Tuesday, even as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee continued to defend her remark that the victim was a “notorious criminal.”
Ms. Banerjee’s comments drew sharp criticism not only from the CPI(M), but from leaders of other political parties.
Condemning her remarks, CPI(M) State secretary Biman Bose said in a written statement that Ms. Banerjee’s comments on a tragic incident were “indicative of a twisted value system” and “went against the grain of the political culture in the State.”
On Monday, before leaving for New Delhi, Ms. Banerjee had said that Arindam Dhar was a “notorious criminal” who would have killed the police had the policeman not fired at him first.
According to Inspector General (Law and Order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha, there was no criminal record against Dhar. There was also no report of any disturbance at the polling booth before the shots were fired.
Charge against CPI(M)
Ms. Banerjee told journalists in New Delhi that the incident was a result of infighting within the CPI(M) ranks and alleged that the policeman concerned had opened fire “because they [CPI(M) workers] were looting, threatening voters and even looting EVMs.”
“According to prima facie reports, the police chased them. I am told they wanted to kill the police,” Ms. Banerjee said, adding that she was unsure if he was killed in the police firing or owing to some “other injury.” She even expressed doubts about how Dhar could have died from merely sustaining a bullet injury in his leg.
Stating that it was extremely unfortunate that Ms. Banerjee was dragging politics into a tragic death, Mr. Bose said there was no such precedent in West Bengal politics.
Even as allegations were being traded in political circles, crowds gathered at the hospital on hearing of Dhar’s death. A procession accompanied the hearse when it was brought to the State party headquarters and when it was finally taken to his neighbourhood in the southern fringe of the city amid slogans and red salutes.
—-Agencies