KOLKATA 15 FEB: A 31 year old Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) member, Maidul Islam Midda, a youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) who had sustained injuries in a police lathi-charge during Nabanna Abhiyan rally on February 11, died on Monday morning at a health facility. Now, his death has sparked a controversy between CPI(M) and the ruling government.
While the Mamata-led TMC government has ordered an autopsy, CPI(M) leaders claimed that it was a planned murder by the TMC government. In particular, Maidul Islam Midda, a resident of Kotulpur in Bankura district, was critically injured in ‘Nabanna Obhijan’ on February 11.
Moreover, the Students’ Federation of India and DYFI leadership alleged that he was severely beaten by the police on Thursday. Then, his condition deteriorated on Sunday. Later, he succumbed to his injuries on Monday. Also, the state government has provided jobs to the next of kin of the deceased. In addition, chief minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned the incident.
Banerjee said, “I condemn the incident that took place. We will conduct a thorough probe in this regard. It is very unfortunate that Midda died on so early.”
On Thursday, the SFI and DYFI leaders staged a dharna at Central Avenue. After, police did not allow them to enter Lal bazaar.
According to the leaders, as police did not let them enter Lal bazaar, they had staged a dharna at Central Avenue. And they demanded that the police who killed Midda should be removed.
A senior DYFI leader, said, “If the police failed to take any action against the concerned police officer who has beaten up Midda during the Nabanna Abhijan rally, then, they will gherao Lalbazzar.”
On Tuesday, both SFI and DYFI will stage a protest at various police stations in the state, in protest against police atrocities that killed Midda.
Other Party Leaders React
Both Congress and CPI(M) leaders claimed that the TMC had murdered him. Also, they demanded an impartial investigation in this regard.
Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) leader, said, “Police murdered Midda. We want a proper investigation in this regard.” They also paid their last tribute to the leader.
Congress leader, Abdul Mannan, said, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is acting as if she is not aware of what has happened. It is due to police atrocity that he died. We want an impartial investigation in this regard.”
Dilip Ghosh, state BJP president, said, “Banerjee has become restless. So, they are trying to engage in violence and killed a young boy. We condemn killing of any political worker of any political party.”