Author: Statesman News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: August 11, 2008
[Note from the Hindu Vivek Kendra: If this
had happened in a BJP ruled state, the family would have been a hero for the
media, and the secular politicians would have shed crocodile tears on their
plight. They would have even accused the BJP that because of their supposed
anti-minoritism, the party would have been accused of criminality. But because
it is happening in a Marxist state, the family would not get any justice.
And so the Marxist government would find it very convenient to ignore the
whole incident.]
Sixty-year-old Md Ismail and his family members
have threatened to fast unto death in front of the Writers' Buildings in protest
against alleged police inaction. Ismail's family said that they were driven
away from their house by a promoter and his musclemen three years ago when
he protested against an illegal construction in the locality.
The family is yet to return to their residence
at Batikhal First Lane in Garden Reach and Ismail, a small-time trader, doesn't
want to disclose his present location, apprehending further attacks by the
promoter and his men. According to reports, Ismail incurred the wrath of the
local promoter three years ago when he started an awareness drive among local
people against illegal construction in his area.
His life was overcome with miseries right
after this as not a single administrative officer came to his help even as
the promoter allegedly started plotting a conspiracy against him and his family
members in order to evict them from the area.
A group of local goons dragged Ismail and
his family members out of their home and allegedly locked them up in a local
CPI-M party office in January 2005.
Md Ismail also alleged that an influential
local CPI-M leader was involved in that conspiracy which is why, the police
were allegedly reluctant to take action against the criminals. A few days
after the threat, some local goons allegedly attacked Mr Anwar Ali, Ismail's
son while he was returning home. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged at Garden
Reach police station. "A few days later, a group of goons entered our
home and attacked us with weapons," said Mr Anwar.
Mr Dilip Sen, local CPI-M leader, denied having
any knowledge about his party colleagues harassing the family. Mr Anant Kumar,
deputy commissioner of the police (port division) said that the police would
help the family if they come to them.
