Woman stripped for refusing to join CPM rally

Sougata Mukhopadhyay , CNN-IBN
Posted on May 07, 2008 at 11:52 | Updated May 07, 2008 at 13:24

0

Nandigram: A 28-year-old woman was allegedly stripped, beaten up and made to run naked for half a kilometer by CPM activists in Nandigram on Monday.

The shocking incident, which took place in the presence of local policemen, was apparently a punishment because the victim refused to join a CPM rally.

“They stripped me naked and hit me with pistol butts. I can't even tell you where they hit me,” the victim said.

However, CPM has denied the charges.

The victim is among several Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee supporters rendered homeless in a fresh reign of terror unleashed in Nandigram ahead of the Panchayat polls.

Back in Kolkata, Trinamool supporters held a demonstration before of the state Election Commission office and a forum of eminent citizens also met the Election Commissioner.

Appalled by the alleged incident, filmmaker and social activist Aparna Sen said, “We apprehend that this kind of terror is going to interfere with the democratic process.”

The Congress meanwhile is demanding that the polls scheduled on the May 11 be deferred.

Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, “Let the Chief Minister and Election Commission call parties and defer the date. A convenient date should be fixed to hold the elections. Peace and normalcy is the priority now in Nandigram than the election itself."

The local police in Nandigram have yet again come under the scanner for allegedly assisting the CPM. Though, the state government has ordered an inquiry into Monday's incident, there’s still a long way to go in ensuring free and fair polls.

(With inputs from Utpal Adhikary)

More on: CPM, Panchayat polls, Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee, Nandigram