Left Front in 72 Hour Sit-in Demonstration

Left Front’s 72 hour sit-in demonstration started on Wednesday afternoon in Kolkata protesting against the ruthless attack on democratic rights in the state. Thousands of people gathered braving rains. The sit-in continued uninterrupted through the night with leaders of Left Front including Biman Basu staying in the road.

The state has witnessed unabated political terror against opposition activists and supporters. 157 activists of the Left Front have been murdered under the TMC regime. Thousands have been rendered homeless, their houses destroyed in many cases. More than 5 thousand Left activists are facing false cases. But the attack has not spared others, spreading in educational institutions, workplaces and localities where anti-social elements are the real rulers now. As part of the wider mobilization to resist this onslaught on the people Left Front has decided to stage this sit-in at the heart of state capital. It was on 25th June, 1975 that the internal emergency was declared and massive attack on democracy was launched throughout the country.

The families of the martyrs were present in the sit-in. Some of them narrated their horrible experiences in the gathering.

Inaugurating the programme, Biman Basu detailed the nature of terror in the state and said that Left Front met the Chief Minister to ask her to take measures to maintain law and order. But there was no sign of serious action on behalf of the state administration. Basu also mentioned about the attacks on livelihood of the people and said the new government at the centre has also started launching fresh attack on the common people.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Surjyakanta Mishra said the time to resist the anarchy has arrived. Along with that the unity of the people has to defended, secularism has to be guarded. Wherever there will be attacks on people, the Left will reach and stay on the roads.

RSP leader Kshiti Goswami, CPI leader Swapan Banerjee, Forward Block leader Jayanta Roy also addressed the protesters.

Left Front leaders including Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee were present in the sit in. People from districts will participate in the demonstration and it will conclude through a rally which will be addressed by Left leaders.