Violence mars SUCI programme in Kolkata

A clash erupted today between SUCI workers and police at the Esplanade area here over a programme organised by the former in which they were protesting against "anti-people" policies of the Centre and the state government.
The situation turned violent as SUCI workers tried to break a police barricade soon after their meeting, in support of their 18-point demands, was over.
As the mob started throwing stones at security personnel, the police resorted to cane charge and deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to disperse them.
Both sides suffered injuries in the clash but the situation was brought under control soon.

The police, however, denied any cane charge saying "there was no law violation and thus the question does not arise of any injury or arrest."
Strongly criticising the Centre, the SUCI leaders demanded immediate reduction in prices of various essential commodities like life-saving drugs, cooking gas and power tariff.

The party also demanded immediate withdrawal of the ordinance which was brought in to amend the Land Acquisition Act.
SUCI (Socialist Unity Centre of India) leaders alleged that though prices of crude oil were coming down sharply, people were not getting its full effect and demanded that the Narendra Modi government should not impose any cess on petroleum products.

The party also strongly criticised the state's deteriorating law and order situation and demanded its immediate restoration.