Former CPI(M) MLA among two killed in attack

Two senior CPI(M) leaders, including former party MLA Pradip Tah, were killed in an attack by armed assailants during a procession in Burdwan district today, police said.

CPI(M) workers alleged that Trinamool Congress activists mounted the armed attack at Dewandighi area in the town and demanded immediate arrest of the assailants. District superintendent of police S A M Mirza said Tah was declared brought dead when rushed to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, while CPI(M) district secretary Kamal Gayen succumbed to injuries while being taken to a Kolkata hospital.

Tah was a former MLA from Burdwan North Assembly constituency.

"We are investigating the incident," the SP said. The district CPI(M) workers had taken out a procession in the area in support of the February 28 nationwide industrial strike called by central trade unions, when they were attacked by some assailants with Tangis (spears), rods and lathis, police said.

The processonists were also protesting yesterday's attack on CPI(M) workers at Deondighi allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists.

CPI(M)'s district committee secretary Amal Haldar alleged, "It was a cold-blooded murder by Trinamool Congress which is now isolated from the masses". Reinforcements were rushed to the area in view of high tension. However, there was no report of any arrest. CPI(M) has called a 12-hour bandh in Burdwan district tomorrow in protest against the killing.