Bankura2 hours agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
A team of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), led by spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, visited Indas in Bankura to meet Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, whose father was allegedly killed during an attack on their family home.
Father Allegedly Killed During Family Attack
The visit came days after 46-year-old Sheikh Mohammad Mafik was allegedly beaten to death by a group of men at Karishunda village under Indas Police Station. According to the family, Mafik was attacked with sticks and iron rods while allegedly trying to protect his 27-year-old son Hafiz from the attackers.
Police have arrested eight people, including a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader and booth president, in connection with the incident. A murder case has also been registered.
Hafiz had visited school days earlier
Hafiz, a 27-year-old CJP activist who had participated in protests at Jantar Mantar, had visited Karishunda Paschimpara Primary School on August 13 as part of the party’s School Thik Karo campaign.
The campaign involves visiting schools, speaking to teachers and local residents, and documenting problems faced by students. Hafiz had reportedly asked about basic facilities, including drinking water and toilets, and sought permission to begin the campaign.
CJP says Hafiz raised basic concerns
“Abdul Hafiz went to the school in his village and asked whether there were any problems,” said Dedipya Ganguly, a Bengal member of the CJP. According to Ganguly, Hafiz asked teachers whether students were facing difficulties with drinking water or toilets.
SFI leaders also visit bereaved family
Meanwhile, leaders of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) also visited the bereaved family and announced a statewide protest against Mafik’s killing.
The SFI has demanded an FIR against all unidentified accused allegedly involved in the crime, along with a court-monitored probe into alleged police complicity and misconduct. The organisation has also demanded round-the-clock state protection for the victim’s family, citing concerns over their safety following the killing.
Family wants school built in memory
The SFI said the victim’s family does not want compensation but has demanded that a school be established in memory of Mafik.
The organisation has further demanded an inquiry into the role of the school principal and action if any wrongdoing is established.
SFI, CJP gives administration ten-day deadline
The SFI and CJP has given the administration 10 days to fulfil its demands and warned that failure to do so would lead to a peaceful gherao of the District Magistrate’s office.The five demands are:
- File an FIR against all unidentified accused allegedly involved in the crime.
- Ensure a court-monitored probe into alleged police complicity and misconduct.
- Provide round-the-clock state protection to the victim’s family.
- Build a school in memory of the deceased, as the family does not want compensation.
- Investigate the role of the school principal and take action if found guilty.
The investigation into Mafik’s death is underway, while police have already arrested eight people in connection with the murder.
