Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Asutosh Ranka accused the BJP government in West Bengal of trying to silence the CJP’s voice through intimidation and threats on Tuesday, August 18.
Ranka alleged that no action had been taken against all the accused in the alleged brutal killing of an elderly man in Bankura district. He claimed that the police were not taking action because the victim’s son was associated with the CJP.
Ranka, the CJP’s co-convenor, said the victim’s family had named all the accused in the FIR. Despite this, he said, the local police had not yet arrested everyone allegedly involved in the attack.
Ranka meets family in Bankura
Speaking to journalists on the road outside Press Club Kolkata, Ranka said, “We met the young man and his mother in Indas, Bankura. We are standing with this family through crowdfunding.”
He said, “A young man wanted to improve the school in his area. Because of this, his father was brutally attacked by local BJP workers. The attackers are alleged to have been carrying guns, knives and iron rods.”
Ranka said he wanted the family to be informed about the details recorded in the post-mortem report of the deceased. He said, “He only wanted to improve the basic infrastructure of his local primary school. That is why the ‘Fix the School’ campaign is being run.”
Allegation of attempt to stop CJP meeting
Ranka accused the BJP of intimidating and threatening the organisers. He said, “The local BJP MLA from Bowbazar pressured the officials of the Indian Association today not to allow the CJP to hold a meeting.”
He said, “Press Club Kolkata also cited a technical issue. We did not understand what happened. We cannot be intimidated or threatened like this.”
Ranka said, “The BJP is trying to silence the CJP’s voice in Bengal.” He appealed to all democratic parties to support the campaign to improve schools and the education system.
Protest if no arrests within 10 days
In response to a question, Ranka said, “If the demand for the arrest of the accused is not fulfilled within 10 days, the CJP will intensify its agitation. We will submit a memorandum to the Bankura District Magistrate and gherao his office.”
He said the CJP would focus on West Bengal. According to him, hundreds of youths from West Bengal had participated in the Jantar Mantar protest.
Ranka said, “We appeal to the ruling party to introspect and engage in dialogue. If that does not happen, we will launch an even bigger protest.”
He said, “We have not come here to seek votes. We appeal to everyone and all concerned parties to rise above politics and come together.”
School facilities and teacher recruitment issue
Ranka said many government schools in West Bengal lack basic facilities. He alleged that during the TMC government, hundreds of teachers in Bankura lost their jobs in the recruitment scam.
In response to another question, he said, “We recently extended our full support to the students’ protest in Ranchi. Our protest against the police lathi-charge is continuing.”
