CPM uses 'terror tactics'prior to polls : Congress

Statesman News Service

MALDA, May 5: The Congress candidates for panchayat samiti and Zilla Parishad have alleged that the CPI-M is resorting to ‘terror tactics’ and ‘mental torture’ prior to the polls.The allegation came after Mr Khejabuddin Ahmed, a Congress member and pradhan of Jalalpur gram panchayat under Kalikchak police station was attacked by the CPI-M supporters at Dharara late in the evening yesterday. Mr Ahmed, who was admitted to Silampur health centre, lodged an FIR with the police today.Mr Ahmed was attacked by the CPI-M activists when he tried to enter the village along with the staff of electricity department to erect electric poles to facilitate power supply in the village.The CPI-M supporters prevented him from appealing for votes by providing electricity just before rural polls. The Congress candidates are alleging that the CPI-M leaders are spreading terror in areas like Shersahi, Maruabadi, Chandpur in Kaliachak-I Block. “In the name of motor cycle rally the CPI-M members are raiding several villages in the evening and threatening Congress supporters,” Mr Enarul Hoque, a Congress candidate for Kaliachak-I panchayat samiti said. Mr Farizuddin, former local committee secretary and presently zonal committee member of the CPI-M, is contesting against Mr Enarul Hoque here. Tension also prevails in Sujapur area, close to Jalalpur gram panchayat, following attacks on the CPI-M leader and candidate for Zilla Parishad, Mr Ketabuddin. Mr Ketabuddin, the CPI-M local committee secretary, lodged an FIR against four assailants with the police on Friday. The CPI-M district leaders fear that Mr Ketabuddin may be attacked again by his rivals in Sujapur area, which is a Congress- dominated belt. The district administrative officials said that they would identify sensitive booths for deputing security forces after completion of ballot paper printing.The district election officials have decided to appoint armed forces at highly sensitive polling stations to avoid booth capturing by political leaders.