Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: May 7, 2003
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/05/07/stories/2003050706750100.htm
Even as agitated BJP and Shiv Sena
MPs demanded an inquiry into the assault on the Union Minister and BJP
leader, Tapan Sikdar, in West Bengal yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister,
L.K. Advani, called up the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharjee,
and expressed his distress at the attack.
Campaigning in the State for the
BJP candidates contesting the May 11 panchayat elections, Mr. Sikdar was
assaulted allegedly by villagers in Kalpul in North 24 Parganas.
Mr. Advani told a BJP parliamentary
party meeting that the Centre had exercised restraint in its dealings with
the States, but this attack was a "serious matter".
According to the BJP spokesperson,
V.K. Malhotra, Mr. Advani told Mr. Bhattacharjee that the attack on Mr.
Sikdar, which followed reports that 10,000 prospective candidates were
prevented from filing nominations, constituted an assault on democracy
and efforts at creating grassroots democracy.
He asked for a complete report from
the State Government.
PM calls up Sikdar
UNI, PTI report from Kolkata:
Expressing concern over the attack,
the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today rang up Mr. Sikdar, who
had been admitted to a North Kolkata nursing home, to inquire about his
health.
Mr. Sikdar had been admitted to
a North Kolkata nursing home.
Mr. Vajpayee reportedly asked him
to prepare a detailed report of yesterday's incident and send it to his
office after he recovered, the BJP State general-secretary, Badal Bhattacharya,
quoting Mr. Sikdar told UNI.
The BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu,
also inquired about Mr. Sikdar's health.
Meanwhile, police arrested 32 persons
in connection with the attack on Mr. Sikdar, with the North 24-Parganas
District Intelligence Branch (DIB) beginning an inquiry into yesterday's
incident.
``Yesterday, 20 persons were arrested.
During overnight raids, we arrested 12 more, bringing the total number
of arrested to 32. Of these, about 15 belong to the CPI(M) and the remaining
to the BJP and the Trinamool Congress,'' the Deputy IGP (Headquarter),
Narayan Ghosh, told newsmen here today.
Stating that Mr. Sikdar was not
the target of the attackers, Mr. Ghosh said he had received "splinter injuries"
when he arrived at Kaipur during a fight between BJP and CPI(M) supporters
after a festoon was torn down.
Asked to comment on Mr. Sikdar's
allegation yesterday that the District SP, Basudev Bag, had failed to make
adequate police arrangement for his visit despite promising to do so, Mr.
Ghosh said, ``I am not aware what conversation the SP had with the Minister.
The DIB is conducting an inquiry into the incident. If it is found that
adequate police was not given despite commitment, it would be looked into.''
Show cause notice served
A police officer was served show
cause notice and the Additional Superintendent of Police (DIB) asked to
explain the lapses in the security arrangements after yesterday's attack
on Mr. Sikdar.
Official sources said the Inspector
in-charge of Barasat Police Station, Swapan Paul, had been served show
cause notice because of lack of proper police arrangement for the Union
Minister's meeting.
