CPM's 'peaceful agitation' turns into tussle with police across state

Kolkata: CPI-M supporters scuffled with police during their rally to protest against the anti-farmer policies of the Centre and state government.

In the name of peaceful agitation, CPI-M cadres tried to break the police barricade on Rani Rashmani Avenue. They tried to break the police barricade and shouted anti-Centre and anti-state slogans.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose said steps should be taken by the Centre to prevent suicide by the farmers who fail to get the minimum supporting price.

He said thousands of farmers have committed suicide in different parts of the country, but the Centre is sitting tight and has not taken any measure to help them. Similarly, the state government also is showing reluctance to resolve the problem of the farmers.

Later, some supporters of the party courted arrest.

In West Midnapore, the protesters broke the barricade and entered the office campus of the district magistrate.

A scuffle broke out between them and the police when the latter tried to prevent them from entering the office of the district magistrate. Local CPI-M leaders alleged that the police had resorted to lathi charge which was unprovoked.

In South Dinajpur, the supporters scuffled with police when they were stopped near the district magistrate's office. In Asansol and Durgapur, the agitation turned violent.

Suryakanta Misra, state secretary of CPI-M, said the police had beaten up their party workers who had taken part in a peaceful agitation.