The Hindu : National : “PSBJC will accept democratic forces’ support”

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Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009
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“PSBJC will accept democratic forces’ support”

Staff Reporter

Lalgarh: Convener of the Police Santrosh Birodhi Janashadharaner Committee (PSBJC) [People’s Committee against Police Atrocities] Chhatradhar Mahato told journalists here on Tuesday that the outfit would accept only the support of democratic forces.

He was answering a question on a prominent Maoist leader admitting to the media on Monday that Maoists were supporting the PSBJC movement.

Mr. Mahato said: “Without taking any name, the outfit will accept the support of only those who believe in democracy.”

While supporters of the PSBJC celebrated their ‘victory’ in the turf war over the CPI(M), the offices and house ransacked and gutted by them stood as grim reminders of the violence. Most of the CPI(M) followers have fled the place. For those who could not flee, surrendering themselves to the wish of the PSBJC seemed to be the only option left.

“I, Kartik Mahato, resident of Kuldiha village, am leaving the CPI(M) and joining the PSBJC” — posters like this have become quite common in the villages in the region.

Fear and tension was palpable at Dharampur where supporters of the PSBJC ransacked and demolished the house of a local CPI(M) leader named Anuj Pandey. Mr. Pandey had fled the place with his family before the mob attacked his house.

“We are living in utmost misery, fearing for our lives all the time. Residents of the entire village used to be CPI(M) supporters earlier, but with the PSBJC gaining strength and threatening us with dire consequences unless we support it, we have decided to switch loyalty,” said 70-year-old Prasanna Pandey, who is also a relative of Anuj Pandey.

The body of a CPI(M) supporter, Salku Soren, has been lying outside the Dharampur CPI(M) office since last Friday. He was killed by the PSBJC supporters.

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