Deepa’s convoy ‘attacked’

A convoy of Congress party leaders that included Union minister Deepa Dasmunsi was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress workers at Nandakumar in Haldia while they were returning to Kolkata after holding a protest march at the port town on the issue of the exit of a cargo-handling firm from the state over law and order problem.

Senior Congress leader Manas Bhunia said around 3 pm as they were returning from Haldia town along with Dasmunsi and other party supporters, Trinamool supporters blocked the convoy and started attacking the "convoy of 1000 cars". He said window panes of around six cars were broken and several of their party supporters were injured in the attack.

Bhunia, who was a minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet before his party decided to pull out from the government, said he called the Superintendent of Police (East Midnapore) several times but in vain. "I call the SP 10 times. He assured me that he will look into the matter and will send police forces to stop the mob. But by the time, the police arrived at the scene the mob had already broke window panes of several cars and assaulted some of our party supporters," Bhunia told The Indian Express.

It was a pre-planned attack by the Trinamool goons of Suvendu Adhikary as they are jealous to see the huge gathering of people in the protest led by Dasmunsi, added Bhunia.

Dasmunsi also slammed the state government and alleged the Trinamool's intention is to create an atmosphere of fear so that no political party can raise their voice against the government. In Nandigram and Singur, the CPM too had created this sort of atmosphere and try to stop the voice of other political parties whenever they protested against the government, she added.

SP of East Midnapore Sukesh Jain, however, denied laxity on his part. "Soon after receiving the call from the Congress leaders, we sent a police team to restore peace in the area," said Jain.

Earlier in Haldia, Dasmunsi lambasted the Trinamool for "spoiling the business climate and worsening law and order situation in the state". She demanded a CBI inquiry into the Haldia port fiasco that led to ABG-led HBT's exit from the port. "When Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in the opposition, she used to demand CBI inquiry into every incident. Why is she now silent when we are demanding a CBI probe into the Haldia port fiasco?" said said.

She alleged that the corruption in Haldia port has reached a pinnacle.

Stressing on the need for a comprehensive land policy from the state government, she claimed that the Trinamool government has failed to do any development of the state.

She assured the dock workers who lost their jobs in the wake of HBT's pullout that Congress will do whatever it could for their benefit. "Don't be afraid. We are supporting your movement and we will help you out," she told the jobless workers who attended the party's demonstration.

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