CPI-M demands apology from Mamata for ‘police brutality’

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) The CPI-M on Monday demanded the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government apologise for the "police brutality" on Left protestors that left over 250 of them injured and also take action against the security personnel responsible.

"We strongly condemn the police brutality that has left over 250 people injured. Over 100 of them are seriously injured. Our protest movements will only intensify until the state government apologises," said Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

"We have seen how male policemen assaulted and manhandled female protestors, which is not just highly condemnable but is illegal and criminal. We demand strict action against those policemen," he added.

The party, in a statement, condemned the Trinamool Congress government's "anti-democratic attitude" and accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "disregarding issues of growing hardships being imposed on the livelihood of the people of West Bengal".

"If the state government believes that through such brutality, protests will be crushed in West Bengal, then the least that can be said is that these are entirely misplaced.

"The people of West Bengal will continue to rise in protest and immediate protest actions will take place all over the state against this police brutality," the CPI-M said.

A number of police personnel and Left protesters were injured after the Monday's protest march to the state secretariat Nabanna turned violent.

Security forces used tear gas and baton charges on thousands of belligerent activists who broke barricades during the protest march organised by 11 Left peasant bodies.