Bengal: Several Injured in Lathi-Charge in DYFI’s Uttarkanya Abhiyan Rally

Kolkata: A rally by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which launched the Uttarkanya Abhiyan, focusing in the North Bengal districts, was lathi-charged on Thursday by the police.

The rally, which began from Mahananda bridge, was called in protest against “theft” of government jobs by the Trinamool Congress government for its “scam laden” governance of the state.

Scores of DYFI activists were seen writhing in pain, as police showered lathis and tear gas shells to disperse the 10,000- strong rally in front of the North Bengal secretariat in Siliguri.

The rally, which was proceeding peacefully, was lathi-charged suddenly, without any customary barricading on the way, said sources.  DYFI state secretary Minakshi Mukherjee was seen sitting on the road on the Tin Batti More, protesting against the police attack. She told the media that they had come to Uttarkanya (secretariat) to submit a memorandum to the officers, but were “attacked” instead.

The North Bengal Development Minister, who hails from Dinhata in Cooch Behar, seldomly comes to Uttarkanya, the protesters alleged. 

Addressing the gathering, Mukherjee alleged that “thieves are controlling the state’s power corridors. Everyday scams are being leaked. Even Jobs are not being given by this government. Jobs in lieu of money has become a ritual nowadays.”

The DYFI demanded “jobs for all, work for all” and said they were left with no other option than to come on the roads and fight for their rights.

Minutes before the rally was to begin, a group of DYFI activists went to Gate No 3 of the secretariat and  put a huge lock on the gate in protest against the “mayhem” North Bengal wherein proper candidates are not being given jobs.

The Uttarkanya Abhiyan is highlighting the demands of the youths of North Bengal and raising its voice against growing communal overtones that have affected public life in North Bengal.