West Bengal Bandh Against Price Hike and Scams

Com. Basudev Bose courting arrest in Kolkata on Bandh day

A 12-hour Bandh called by the CPI(ML) in West Bengal on 22 November was a great success. The Bandh was held in protest against the price hike in petroleum products and cooking gas, massive tariff hike by the State Electricity Board and CESC, and also to demand the resignation of tainted ministers from the West Bengal Cabinet. In particular, the protest targeted the Minister involved in the massive land scam during the tenure of Jyoti Basu, who was being protected by the State Govt. and judiciary as well.

 The bandh was a massive success from Kooch Behar to Purulia, including the tea-garden areas as well as industrial belts like Durgapur and Asansol. The streets of Kolkata remained free of traffic, save a few occasional buses.

Nearly 600 party activists were arrested during the Bandh, on various false charges, including rioting, and many of them have still not been released.

The party unit in West Bengal has decided to continue the agitation on these issues and will launch a statewide campaign from November 29 – December 8 demanding CBI inquiry in the land scam and demanding that the Supreme Court take penal action against former CM who is personally involved in the scam.

On December 10, Party will hold a big rally in Kolkata on these issues