Two CPI-M leaders killed in Bengal

Two Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders, including a former legislator, were killed in a clash in Burdwan district of West Bengal Wednesday, police said.

Pradip Ta, who earlier represented Burdwan North, and district committee member Kamal Gayen were lynched in the clash in Dewandighi.

Four people have been arrested, Superintendent of Police S.H. Mirza told IANS over phone.

The CPI-M blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for the killings.

“Trinamool men attacked a peaceful procession brought out by our partymen in support of the Feb 28 all-India strike called by trade unions. The Trinamool men used lethal weapons and killed the two leaders,” said CPI-M state secretariat member Shyamal Chakraborty.

West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim claimed the CPI-M workers had Wednesday torn the flags of all other parties in the area.

“Their leaders had instigated them at the rally the CPI-M organised in Kolkata Sunday to capture political turf by violent means. So the party forcibly removed the flags of other parties but met with resistance.

“Any death is unfortunate. But in the name of canvassing for the strike, the CPI-M tried to re-establish terror in the area which triggered the incident,” Hakim said.