Bengal student lynching: Congress MLA on indefinite fast

Congress legislator Manas Bhuniya on Wednesday began an indefinite strike demanding arrest of those involved in the lynching of an activist of the party's students wing.

Krishna Prasad Jana, a member of the Congress-affiliated Chhatra Parishad, was beaten to death during a clash between two groups of students at the Sabang Sajanikanta Mahavidyalaya in West Midnapore district in August.

While the administration as well as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attributed Jana's killing to internal strife within the Chhatra Parishad, the Congress has been demanding an independent inquiry alleging the ruling Trinamool Congress was trying to cover up the issue.

"Police have been acting as a tool of the Trinamool and making all efforts to ensure the chief minister's claims are substantiated," said Bhuniya.

"Instead of arresting those who actually murdered Jana, the police have launched a witch-hunt against Chhatra Parishad members," said Bhuniya, who represents Sabang constituency where the incident happened.

Police arrested several people, mostly Chhatra Parishad activists in the case.

Bhuniya, former Congress West Bengal unit chief, said he will continue to fast until the "real culprits" are arrested.

Earlier, Congress leader Abdul Mannan approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the lynching.