CPI-M politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra Sunday urged his party supporters to resist the attacks of ruling Trinamool Congress-sponsored assailants, saying everybody had the right to defend themselves.
Addressing party activists at Bohula village of Burdwan district, where Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Asmira Begum was killed May 21 -- allegedly by Trinamool activists, Mishra called upon the people of the village to rally together.
"Don't be afraid, if you are together no one can get into the village and attack you," he said, surrounded by the family members and friends of the victim.
"If we are attacked, we have the right to defend ourselves. We have to resist them so that no one dares to touch any of us," he said.
Mishra, leader of opposition in the state assembly, said of the 11 people mentioned in the first information report, only four had been rounded up so far.
"Those yet to be arrested are threatening the family. They have told the villagers they will come back and attack them once we leave."
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Mishra said he has already written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee detailing the incidents of attacks on party leaders and workers after the Lok Sabha polls. "A Left Front delegation will meet her June 9. The LF legislative party will call on the governor."
Weeping uncontrollably, Asmira's daughter and son garlanded her mother's photograph in Mishra's presence.
"We can't leave our house. They are constantly threatening to kill us if we venture outdoors," said Asmira's daughter.
The CPI-M has claimed that Ashmira, a two time elected panchayat member, was killed when she tried to save her husband Enayet Karim - area secretary of the party affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) - from the attackers who had attempted to kill him.
A CPI-M statement said since the Lok Sabha polls, at least three CPI-M activists and sympathizers have been killed, "several MLAs and former MLAs have been assaulted", and over 1,000 Left supporters injured in attacks.