The CPM has filed at least 10 police complaints in Kolkata over alleged attacks, threats and attempts to stop party-linked book stalls from operating outside puja pandals, intensifying a dispute over permissions and policing during the festive season.
According to a report by the Times of India, the complaints were lodged over the past three days after decorators were allegedly threatened while setting up stalls. CPM district committee secretary Kallol Majumdar said attempts were made to prevent stalls in Behala, Dum Dum and Kasba, among other areas, from opening.
The complaints also relate to Sharadiya book stalls run by the SUCI(C), a Left party. The report said stalls in Tangra, Behala, Howrah, Behrampore, Bishnupur and Radhakantapur were allegedly vandalised, with banners torn and books destroyed. Tapan Mukherjee, a senior party member, was reportedly injured during an attack in Tangra.
Left party representatives further alleged that police either forcibly shut down stalls or denied permission for them in Baranagar, Regent Park and Beleghata. In Kasba, a stall was reportedly ransacked on Thursday morning. Party workers reconstructed it by evening and inaugurated it immediately, Majumdar said.
Several Left functionaries addressed a news conference on Friday and appealed to the police and administration to provide equal opportunity for political groups to communicate with the public. CPM state secretary Mohammed Selim called for action against those allegedly ransacking stalls or setting fire to structures, while also appealing for peace and unity during the festive period.
“We appeal to police to act against them, those who are ransacking stalls, setting fire to the structures. Police and the administration must provide level playing field so that all can propagate their thoughts and ideology. We would want an atmosphere of amity and unity to exist during the festive season,” Selim said, according to the report.
A party member identified alleged attacks at Pora Ashwattala in Behala, Mahabirtala in New Alipore, Dum Dum and Kasba. The allegations have not been independently established in the supplied report.
Police action was also reported at Ahiritola, where officers dismantled a book stall on Friday because it allegedly lacked the required permission. The incident highlights the immediate administrative question at the centre of the dispute: whether stalls are being denied permission through a consistent process or are being targeted selectively, an allegation raised by the Left parties but not independently verified in the report.
Selim said the party would resist attempts to prevent the stalls from operating and warned that its members could take to the streets if the alleged obstruction continued. He also said the CPM would march again to the Election Commission office on November 5, after the puja celebrations conclude.
