183 Left cadre killed by TMC men in Bengal in last 5 yrs: CPIM

CPI(M) today accused TMC of inflicting "unprecedented" violence on Left cadre in West Bengal, claiming the ruling party men killed 183 Left workers over the past five years and injured 2,000 others and charged it with targeting women sympathisers "specifically".
In the same breath, the CPI(M) criticised the Centre too, accusing it of "intervening in all matters, but going slow" in connection with CBI enquiries against TMC leaders (in Saradha scam) to protect the "tainted" members of the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
"The TMC, backed by the government and large section of police, has unleashed violence against Left workers and those sections who oppose and dissent (against it)...We not seen such large scale attack against any political party in the history of Independent India," CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat told reporters here.

"The Central government intervenes in almost every issue...But on the issue of CBI enquiry against West Bengal leaders is not happening. So, it is clear the Modi Government is trying to save these leaders," she alleged.
Brinda, who was accompanied by party leader MA Baby, said the alleged attacks have been at "several levels" with the TMC workers seeking to "eliminate" Left from the state by targeting its workers, damaging offices of communist parties, trade unions and affiliated mass outfits.
According to a booklet 'Democracy Under Siege in West Bengal' the duo released during the briefing, "TMC men allegedly looted 649 offices of CPI(M), 14 of Left Front and as many of the Congress. Besides, 131 offices of trade unions have been attacked in similar manner," the booklet claims.

It also alleged that 8 women Left sympathisers have been raped by TMC "criminals", while 86 others were physically assaulted/sexually harassed during the ruling party's tenure beginning in 2011.

"There are specific assaults on women. The use of rape, terror, the threat that if you continue to hold red flag, your daughter will be picked up. Your sons and children will be targeted. The fact that women are standing with red flag is extremely commendable...The women activists have shown exemplary courage," Brinda said.
She alleged that villages "which polled in favour of opposition parties" were "burnt completely" by the TMC workers as it is easy to make out voting patterns across booths due to electronic voting machines these days.

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Baby termed the attacks as "undeclared Emergency" imposed on Left cadre and questioned silence of media on the issue even as he urged it to bring the alleged violence to light.
He also expressed hope that the Left parties will stage a comeback in the state.
Brinda though stated the attacks are being "resisted" by the workers of Left parties, even as party units from other states are expressing solidarity with their West Bengal counterpart.