Sisters' suicide: Left parties call for bandh tomorrow

In the wake of alleged suicides by inmates of Aurobindo Ashram, Left parties have called for a bandh tomorrow to press the Centre for bringing in a special legislation to enable the union territory government to take over the administration of the ashram and the trust.
A 12-hour bandh would be observed from 6 am tomorrow, Secretary of the Puducherry State committee of the CPI R Viswanathan, told reporters today.
S Balasubramanian of CPI (ML), Rajangam of CPI (M) and leaders of Revolutionary Socialist Party and Forward Block were also present.
The bandh call was given a day after three members of a family from Bihar allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the sea protesting against their eviction from the ashram by the police following a Supreme Court order.

Balasubramanian said quite often there had been allegations against the ashram and the trust. This latest incident of alleged suicide by the women inmates had brought to the fore that the Ashram should be put in order, he said.
Meanwhile, opposition Congress extended its support to the bandh call.

Leader of the opposition in Assembly V Vaithilingam condemned the police for failing to take steps to accommodate the five sisters from Bihar.
Meanwhile, volunteers of some outfits today held a demonstration in front of hand-made paper industry run by the Ashram and pelted stones on its premises.
Police arrested 60 volunteers of Naam Tamizhar Katchi when they came in a procession to stage a dharna against the ashram.

Police pickets have been stepped up near the ashram and also at vulnerable pockets in the wake of attacks on ashram owned buildings yesterday after the suicide.