January 5, 2018:
Bhangor Andolan Sanhati Committee unequivocally condemns the state and
non state terror unleashed on the people of Bhangor protesting against
the illegal setting up of a powergrid project on their fertile,
multicrop lands with scant regard to existing rules and laws.
We
have noted with grave consternation the armed terror unleashed on the
villages of Khamarait, Machhibhanga, Gajipur, Tona, etc. by gun wielding
hooligans acting under the direct leadership of ex MLA Arabul Islam.
For the past one week, repeated and concerted acts of such violence have
occurred including attacks on media personnel. Despite multiple FIRs
filed against Arabul Islam and his henchmen, the police continue to
blatantly offer him protection.
Yesterday,
around 100 activists — including students and intellectuals — on their
way to Bhangor, to attend the public meeting called by the Jomi Jibika
Bastutantro O Poribesh Raksha Committee, were illegally detained by the
police at Baguiati PS. Anti powergrid activists of the Krishak Mukti
Sangram Samiti of Assam were picked up by the STF and detained at
Belghoria PS for 12 hours, in a show of the most rabid kind of
authoritarianism by the government.
We
apprehend further attacks on the villages affected by the powergrid
project in the coming days, especially since the miscreants have the
blessings of the police and administration, and are being egged on by
Trinamool leaders including a minister who has openly threatened to
crush the protestors like ‘insects’. The Chief Minister, instead of
listening to the aggrieved villagers, is holding meetings with these
Trinamool leaders.
This
all out attack on the basic democratic rights of the people to life and
liberty cannot be tolerated. Bhangor Andolan Sanhati Committee shall do
everything in its power to resist this heinous onslaught on democracy.
We shall take to the streets in surging numbers to protest against all
attempts by the ruling party and Trinamool government to crush dissent.
Since
the Chief Minister has announced in the Bidhan Sabha that the powergrid
project will not be set up in Bhangor against the wishes of the people,
we request her to stand by her own words. We demand:
1. Scrap the powergrid project in Bhangor, since the people’s mandate is quite unambiguous.
2. Initiate dialogue with the Jomi Jibika Bastutantro O Poribesh Raksha Committee.
3.
Stop state and non state terror on the villages of Bhangor as well as
against activists supporting the anti powergrid movement.
4. Withdraw all — patently false — cases filed against anti powergrid activists.
Signed
Anuradha Deb
Jayatu Deshmukh
Sankar Das
(for Bhangor Andolan Sanhati Committee)
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