August 18, 2002

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Killing of CPI(M) Workers Condemned

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) severely condemns the armed attack on the CPI(M) zonal office in Dhupguri in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, which has led to the killing of five CPI(M) cadres and 13 comrades being injured. Those killed are: Gopal Chaki, a member of the Jalpaiguri District Committee,  Ganesh Roy, Gopal Sil, Dulal Roy and Subodh Roy.  A gang of the Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation (KLO) is suspected to be responsible for this terrorist attack.

The KLO gangs are operating in Jalpaiguri district by taking shelter in the jungles across the border in Bhutan.  The ULFA also has its camps in Bhutan.  The Union government must immediately take up the matter with the Bhutanese government so that steps can be taken jointly to  flush out these extremist hideouts.

The Polit Bureau pays its homage to the five comrades who died in this dastardly attack.  It conveys its heartfelt condolences to their families.