Two heavyweights CPIM leaders – former MP Jitendra Chowdhury and MLA Bhanu Lal Saha appeared at Amtali and East Police Stations in Agartala on Saturday after being summoned by concerned Police Stations relating to FIRs filed against the duo for posting ‘provocative’ statements in social media. Notably, Left Front Convener and CPM Central Committee Member, Bijon Dhar also appeared before the Amtali PS on Friday for FIR on the same issue.
Jitendra Chowdhury, after the interrogation was over for the day, spoke to the media and claimed that his post was not against any particular political party or individual. Referring to miscreants’ attack, Chowdhury said, none was left –doctors, police officers, media persons. So I wrote ‘Rukhe Daran’ (resist), the miscreants are becoming weak, so finish them. Clarifying further, he said, it was a call against the culprits – against the force of anti-social elements who were committing crimes against the constitution.
Sitting MLA Bhanu Lal Saha also talked in the same line. He said, in view of attacks unleashed by miscreants, he reminded people of the right to self-defense. My post did not mention any political party – however, only BJP had reacted. There are three ruling parties – BJP, IPFT and TIPRA Motha – it was only BJP who found the social media post provocative.
Justifying the call for the right to self-defense, Saha also mentioned that during the last three years, opposition party workers were assaulted – even I was physically assaulted. We approached the Police, however, no action was taken against the miscreants. In such a situation, I called for self-defense, as everyone has the right to defend him, his family, and his property. Here, I mentioned few household items like machetes, shovels etc. to use for self-defense.
It may be noted here that, CPM leaders particularly Bijan Dhar, Jitendra Chowdhury and Bhanu Lal Saha posted FB messages after recent vandalism and violence at Badharghat area in Agartala and urged people to resist the attacks. However, BJP leaders were highly critical of the posts and later, BJP workers filed FIRs against the CPM leaders for posting such messages. Accordingly, all the three leaders were summoned to the Police Stations and were interrogated. The investigation process is going on.
