SUCI demands withdrawal of joint forces, Chhatradhar's release

Kolkata: The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), an ally of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress, today demanded immediate withdrawal of the joint forces from Junglemahal and release of all those involved in various movements there, including PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, SUCI state secretary Saumen Basu also demanded an impartial investigation into all incidents of killing in Junglemahal, including Netai, and arrest of CPI(M) leaders and activists, 'so-called' Maoists and police officers involved in such killings.

Basu also demanded immediate suspension of those police officers who had helped CPI(M) activists in allegedly carrying out killings, rape and loot in Junglehahal over the past three years.

Demanding a judicial inquiry into the mass rape allegedly by the joint forces and CPI(M)-backed anti-socials, Bose said the guilty should be given exemplary punishment.

He also sought the chief minister's intervention in implementing the central laws protecting the rights of the forest dwellers, besides providing subsidised food and kerosene to them.

In the letter, Bose claimed that the SUCI had not been invited to an all-party meeting on Junglemahal at the Lalgarh police station, which reportedly adopted a resolution for retaining the joint forces there.

"As this resolution contradicts your electoral promise, we are drawing your attention to it and hoping for your intervention in the matter," Basu said in his letter.