[Reader-list] Reign of Terror in Colleges

[A. Mani]

>From People's Democracy:

Reign of Terror in Colleges

>From Our Special

Correspondent in Kolkata



TRINAMOOL Congress has unleashed a reign of terror in colleges and
universities in West Bengal with the active connivance of state
administration. In one after another institution, TMC activists are
capturing students’ unions by force in the most brutal manner.
Hundreds of students have been beaten up, grievously injured, banned
from entering the colleges, and even not permitted to appear for their
examinations.



In yet another such incident, SFI activists were attacked brutally in
Dinabandhu Andrews College, South 24 Parganas for consecutive two
days. The college, situated in Jadavpur area, is well known for Left
wing students’ movement for decades. SFI was prevented to collect the
nomination forms for the election to the students union scheduled on
December 23. On December 13, miscreants and anti-social elements
organised from different parts of the district attacked SFI activists
and they were not allowed to enter the college premises. Ten SFI
activists have been hospitalised with serious injuries. Tanusree
Mondal, general secretary of the union was among those who suffered
serious injuries. Former all India general secretary of SFI, Kallol
Roy, was beaten up and was also hospitalised.



TMC activists gathered in larger numbers the next day in front of the
college. They were brought in trucks and bikes, many of them armed.
The role of administration was most dubious. Police blocked all the
roads towards the college and prevented SFI activists from entering
the college, thus allowing only TMC students to collect nomination
forms. It was virtually a joint operation of TMC and police. When
questioned, the answer from the police officers was simple: “CM knows
everything”. It was very clear the whole operation was conducted under
guidance from chief minister herself.



But even after this mayhem, the TMC Chatra Parishad was able to submit
nominations for only 58 candidates out of total 94, proving that they
have no support within the college and it was for this that they had
to bring outsiders to forcefully “win” the elections.



The same mob then moved towards Jyotish Roy College in south Kolkata
and ransacked the scrutiny of nomination papers there. SFI was also
prevented from collecting a single nomination in Gurudas College in
Beleghata in east Kolkata. The story was repeated in Srirampore
College in Hooghly where they threatened students.



The incident of Andrews College is in consonance with the increasing
attacks on the students in particular and the Left supporters in
general after the new government took office in West Bengal. Numerous
student unions are captured through might with the state
administration playing the role of an abettor. SFI activists are not
being allowed to even participate in the elections.



SFI central executive committee condemned the attacks and urged all
its units to rise in protest against the forces that have been
diligent in suppressing the voice of the democratic student community
through might and force.



SFI West Bengal state committee has threatened for a continuous
students’ strike if such attacks were not stopped immediately.


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Best

A. Mani



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A. Mani
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