Democratic order has collapsed in Bengal: CPI-M

Alleging that the democratic system has collapsed in West Bengal, the CPI-M Monday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of unleashing violence on workers of all opposition parties and common people and urged the masses to unite in protest.

In an appeal to the people, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state committee said eight workers of the Left Front - a coalition led by it - had died in attacks by the Trinamool backed goons since April 10.

It put the figure of the Left Front workers killed since the Trinamool came to power in 2011 at 154.

"Since the political change in West Bengal in 2011, the ruling party has orchestrated violence across the state. Workers of all opposition parties including leftist workers and common people have become victims of such violence," said a CPI-M state committee statement.

"They are looting crops and shops, snatching title deeds of land, terrorising people in their work places and imposing fines. Even children and women are not being spared. Police and administration, instead of standing by the victims, are filing false cases against the tortured," the party said in the statement after day one of its two-day state committee meeting here.

"The situation is so grave, that the victims are not being allowed to lodge police complaints against miscreants sponsored by the ruling party. They are being pressurised to withdraw the complaints."

The party alleged that over 46,000 people are living away from home in various parts of the state following the atrocities brought upon them by goons.

"Over 15,000 false cases have been slapped against leftist workers and leaders, and property worth several crores have been looted," the statement said.

"The democratic system in West Bengal has completely collapsed. After reducing last year's panchayat elections to a farce, the Trinamool has indulged in massive atrocities and rigging in a large number of booths".

"In areas where it secured less votes despite rigging, the quantum of violence has increased. They have announced social boycott off the opposition, and are carrying out attacks to force them to surrender to the ruling party."

Claiming that such "fascist-like attacks" were unprecedented in India, the CPI-M called upon the secular, democracy-loving and progressive sections, the civil society and educational and cultural organisations to unite in protest.