The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the unprecedented terror unleashed by the Trinamul Congress post-assembly election results in West Bengal.
Since the election results have been declared more than 500 offices of the CPI(M) and other Left parties have been looted, burnt and forcibly occupied by the TMC goons. Eviction from hundreds of houses from localities all across the state are continuing. Huge amounts are being exhorted as ransom. People’s livelihood is being snatched. Countless murderous attacks have been inflicted. During the past few days the entire law and order machinery appears to have broken down.
During the course of the elections itself, the West Bengal Chief Minister had openly warned that she would retaliate inch by inch against the CPI(M) and other opposition parties once the results were announced. What is currently happening is hence at the behest of the Chief Minister.
During the elections itself ten CPI(M) cadres were murdered, nine CPI(M) and Left parties offices were attacked and there were 160 cases of kidnappings and arson. Women and children have not been spared. Those women supporters who were victims of sexual assault by TMC goons in the last five years and whose cases are pending in the courts are being told to withdraw the cases on the threat of further assault. Instead of taking action against the culprits, in many instances the Left Front activists and leaders are being foisted with false cases.
The CPI(M) and the Left Front had accepted the people’s verdict with humility and it is expected of the newly elected state government to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon all its units across the country to organise protests and solidarity actions with our comrades in West Bengal.