NTUI condemns the arrest of Maitree members protesting against the twin incidents of rape and murder of students

NTUI condemns the arrest of Maitree members protesting against the twin incidents of rape and murder of students

An impatient administration that tries to stifle the voice of protests, unmasks itself much more than critics can possibly do. This morning, members of Maitree, a Kolkata based network of women'sgroup, assembled peacefully outside Mamta Banerjees residence asking for an appointment to submit a letter of protest to the Chief Minister against the two recent cases of gang rape and murder. They had earlier tried to hand over the same at the Writers buildingon Monday but she had refused to meet the delegation. Thegrotesque rape, murder and violence against two students in Barasat and Krishnaganj, Nadia, in the last few days is an ampleindication of the appaling law and order sitution in the state and the administration's dismal failure to ensure safety and security of women. The members of Maitree wanted to draw the Chief Minister's personal attention to this in a bid to ensure her personal intervention in this issue.

Instead of receiving their protest letter, the police arrested 13 women instantly. Anuradha Kapoor, Swapna, Kakali Bhattacharya, Anchita Ghatak, Shyamali Das, Ratnaboli Roy Sharmishtha Dutta Gupta, Shreya Sanghari, Madhura Chakraborty, Shreya Chakraborty, Sudeshna Basu, & Aditi Basu were whisked away to Lalbazar where they are currently detained at the Labazar central lock up. Abir Niyogy who was earlier taken away to Kalighat police station and has been currently transfered to Labazar central lock.

NTUI strongly condems this arrest by the police and demands an immediate and unconditional release of the members of Maitree.We strongly uphold the peoples' right to dissent and protest. We also call upon the Government, judiciary and law enforcing agencies for an immediate arrest of culprits, a proper investigation and a fair and unbiased trial which would enable victims and their families in accessing justice and lead culprits towards due punishment; otherwise this wave of brutality against women would remain endless and unabated.

For NTUI

 

New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)

West Bengal State Organising Committee

4/1 Bhabanath Sen Street, Kolkata-700004

Telephone - (33) 2543 5381

Head Office : B-137, First Floor, Dayanand Colony, Lajpat Nagar – IV,New Delhi – 110024

Telephone: +91-11-2621 4538

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