CPI(M) sets deadline for arrest of attackers of party leader

"If the attackers are not arrested by noon tomorrow, the Left Front will hold demonstrations before the South 24 Parganas district headquarters at Alipore here and the office of the superintendent of police," Leader of the Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra told reporters here.

He alleged Left party workers were being attacked at different places in the state and there was no positive sign from the government of action against the attackers.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose condemned the attack and said democracy was being 'trampled' in the state.

CPI-M has claimed that Mollah was attacked and injured allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters at Kantatala in South 24 Parganas district yesterday.

Refuting the allegations, state Labour Minister Purnendu Basu claimed Mollah was himself responsible for the incident.

"Rezzak Mollah is in politics for a long time. Why did a 70-year-old man like him go to another party's meeting place? Physical attack cannot be supported but it was his fault. He has tarnished the image of his party (CPI-M)", Basu said.

Meanwhile, rebel TMC MP Kabir Suman visited Mollah in hospital during the day.

Criticising the attack on Mollah, he asked, "How can a senior citizen be beaten like this?"

State BJP president Rahul Sinha accused Mollah of instigating participants in a TMC rally and demanded his immediate arrest besides that of local Trinamool leader Arabul Islam, who had allegedly led the attackers, for creating trouble in the area and disturbing peace.