Left Front condemns student protestor's murder

Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Condemning the murder of college student Sourav Chowdhury, who allegedly earned the wrath of criminals for protesting against anti-social activities and liquor dens, West Bengal's Left Front Sunday alleged that efforts were on to dilute the crime's gravity by raking up a debate on his political affiliation.

"He had to pay with his life for protesting against the anti-social activities in the area. We don't have words to condemn the barbaric incident.

"At the same time we also condemn the way attempts are being made to dilute the gravity of the incident by raking up a debate over his political affiliation," Left Front chairman Biman Bose told media persons here.

"Whether he was with the BJP or the Trinamool Congress is not important here. What is of prime importance is that he has been killed because he protested against activities of anti-socials," said Bose.

Accusing the state government of turning a section of the police and the administration into an appendage of the ruling Trinamool, Bose alleged there were apprehensions of more such protestors could face the same fate.

The Left Front demanded that the state government protect the state from anarchy and enforce the rule of law.

"We urge people cutting across the political spectrum to raise their voice against the murder. We demand exemplary punishment of the culprits," he said.

The dismembered body of Chowdhury - missing since Friday night - was found beside the railway track between Duttapukur and Bamangachi stations in North 24 Parganas district Saturday. His family and local residents alleged he was murdered for protesting criminal activities in the Bamanghata area.