WB: Left Holds Rally in East Medinipur Against Recruitment Corruption

"Can't be stifled by a baton anymore," said Nazrul Islam from Haldia, at the end of the 'Chor Dhoro Jail Bhoro' (Catch the thieves, put them in jail) rally in Nimtauri of East Medinipur, called by the leftist workers' organisations. Barricades, water cannons, tear gas and police were unable to stop the huge crowd blocking the long rally route.

Police became aggressive when the rally started in Nimtauri on Tuesday and reached the front of the district magistrate's office. There were attempts to disperse the rally with tear gas and water cannons. Police personnel were also seen pelting bricks to stop the procession. Haldia Mecheda National Highway 116 was blocked by the crowd. Several activists who took part in the march were reported to have received injuries.

"Trinamool (Congress) panchayat members are asking for cut money when workers ask for the due wages of 100 days of work. And the police are working to save those thieves. Now it's time to take stock": This was the commonly heard complaint from the people who participated in the rally.

Sujan Chakraborty

"Theft is going on in all areas, from state government jobs to panchayat-level projects. There is a government whose ministers are in jail for theft. Bengal has never seen such a government before," said Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] central committee member Sujan Chakraborty before the rally.

CPI(M) East Medinipur district secretary Niranjan Sihi said, "Every panchayat in this district has become an arena of loot. Corruption is going on at the behest of BDO (block development officer) and district magistrate. Our fight against their corruption will continue.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All Indian Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and All India Agricultural Workers' Union (AIAWU) had called for the East Medinipur district magistrate's office gherao and law disobedience program on Tuesday. Thousands of people from different parts of the district took part in the rally, against the corruption cases in multiple recruitment processes in the state.