IN a Press statement issued on 19 April CPIML State Secretary Kunal condemned the killing of Santosh Kumar Sharma in Beguserai and demanded a high level enquiry into the incident. From initial reports it appears that the killing was done by the Navakothi Thana under pressure from feudal-criminal forces. It appears that big political names of the District are also involved in the incident.
Party District Secretary Diwakar said that Vikram Poddar belonging to the Vaisya caste was killed on 23 March at Hajat in Virpur Thana. The matter was of love between Vikram and a girl from an upper caste. The girl’s father registered a case of abduction against Vikram. He was kept in custody at Virpur Thana for 3 days after which news came that he had hanged himself. Clearly, it could be a case of custodial killing at the Thana.
Santosh Kumar Sharma was consistently protesting against this killing, angering the feudal forces. At their behest the Navakothi Thana in-charge brought him in on 6 April on the charge of violating Lockdown. He was released after intervention by social activists but was later taken to another place and beaten up so badly that he died on 17 April.
Secretary Kunal said that such feudal crimes in connivance with the police and administration were common in Beguserai. Many of our own leaders have been killed in this way. After Giriraj Singh became MP, the morale of feudal criminals has skyrocketed and they have become fearless. Our Part Our Party demands a high level enquiry into the killings of Vikram Poddar and Santosh Kumar Sharma. Action should be taken against the guilty police personnel and proper compensation should be given to the families of the victims.
