So long, Kolkata or for that matter West Bengal was free from terror kind of blasts for the simple reason that this part of the country was being used by the Islamic terrorists as corridor for the safe transit of infiltrators and migrates from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and even China. Except one or two accidental blasts (one at Bowbazar area of Kolkata and the other at Gaisal in North Bengal), West Bengal was more or less peaceful. There have been ample circumstantial evidences by which it could be established that there was an ?unholy alliance? between the ruling parties of the state especially the CPI (M) and the Islamic terrorists groups. Might be, it was for this reason that the state government was unperturbed with the development of terrorist activities throughout the country. They thought that West Bengal would be spared by them for all time to come.
Few years back, when Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, after touring the border districts of the state, had issued a statement saying ?in border areas ominous developments are taking place. At least nine hundred madrasas have come up. These madrasas have been used for grooming young terrorists?. He has further mentioned that hundreds of mosques in these areas are used to store illegal arms and weapons?. Soon after this statement was published the party (CPI-M) bosses rebuked Bhattacharjee and as a ?disciplined soldier? he immediately went back on his statement. The reason behind this was the ?vote bank politics? of the ruling party.
Recently during Durga Puja and Kali Puja season, number of incidents took place where number of persons murdered, sanctity of ?Puja Mandap? was vandalised, women were molested and many persons injured. The ?over progressive? and ?mesmerised? media in the state preferred to suppress this news with a false notion of rendering ?great service to the nation?. As if publication of such news would flare up communal riots.
As usual, till date they could not arrest a single culprit. The law abiding Hindus although very much agitated, were running from pillar to post with joint appeals addressed to the authorities to get justice. So long the one-eyed authorities did not show any sympathy to Hindus.
In another incident during Durga Puja, Hindu unity put forward an example where the Muslim attackers were compelled to flee away. The organisers of a community Durga Puja committee at Palta, Barrackpur, 24-Parganas, constructed the pandal which is just like a replica of Taj Mahal and before the organisers could install the images of Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kartik, Ganesha etc. at the pandal the Muslims of Palta area put up a barricade saying ?they would not allow Hindu God-Goddesses to be installed inside Taj Mahal?. Tension was mounting centering this belligerent attitude of Muslims. But police was not taking any step against those hooligans as if they were afraid of them. Then Hindus of all political descriptions united and declared that come what may, they would install the images. This brave and united declaration compelled the Muslims to go back and keep silent.
The latest incident of landmine blast in Salboni in West Midnapur district during the visit of Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and others on November 2 opened up another Pandora'sBox where mysterious facts are coming to fore. 1). Soon after the landmine blast the authorities had declared that this was done by Maoists without enquiring into the matter. 2). The landmine was operated from a place which was 1.5 kilometres away from the venue of blast. Although at every 50 ft. of this long route a policeman was deployed, they could not find out the landmine wire. This could not be easily conceivable and avoided by saying that ?this was an intelligence failure?. 3). Allegations have already surfaced that this ?Maoist landmine blast? planned by the authorities itself and not by the Maoists. 4). As the authority did not want to disturb the opening ceremony to take place, the landmine blast had taken place while the dignitaries were coming back after the foundation laying function was over. 5). The Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad of the village where this function was organised were all dominated by the CPI-M. How come that they could not detect the laying of landmine wire? Especially when CPI-M was claiming that there cadres and supporters were also there to ensure flawless security for the dignitaries. 6). Actually by inflicting this pre planned attack on the convoy of the Chief Minister they had wanted to settle their own score on the eve of the forthcoming Parliamentary election. Now in the name of controlling Maoists they would set on the reign of terror in the areas where their opposition parties were strong. This type of game they had played many a times in yester years. 7). No one of this state would be surprised if the Director General of Police of the state was suspended. Again this was under the same conspiracy hatched by the ruling party. It was but natural that the Union Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan would demand the resignation of the Director General of Police of West Bengal for the security lapse of the said function. 8). Last but not the least, the Nano Car Project debacle had tarnished the image of the CM, which he wanted to repair and regain and fact remained that the cadre of the party has already been deployed in the field for ?boosting up the image? effort.
On the one hand the appeasement of Muslims is going on in full swing to win over their block votes and on the other; the ruling party is gearing up their own forces to combat the possible offensive by the opposition parties.
(The writer is a former member of Press Council of India)
