Andhra Pradesh-based Maoist ideologue and sympathiser Varavara Rao on Sunday has reportedly urged the extremists to release teacher-cum-NGO worker Saumyajit Basu, who has been allegedly kidnapped along with state intelligence branch (IB) inspector Partha Biswas.
Mr Rao, in his statement, said: “I once again humbly request the leadership and rank and file of CPI(Maoists) in West Bengal to release or make arrangements to free Soumyajit Basu.” He termed Mr Basu as a “teacher and environmentalist”. The Maoist sympathiser’s appeal came after Mr Basu’s family sought his help.
Mr Rao, however, added that he was not sure about the role of the Maoists’ in the abduction as the rebels had already denied their involvement. “It appears that they are not involved in the abduction although I am not sure about it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Maoists continued their blood bath, killing two CPI(M) leaders in West Midnapore. They shot dead Rahim Patar, 33, a Salboni zonal committee member and Pashupati Singha, 53, Gormal panchayat pradhan after abducting them near the Kharikashuli forest at Salboni.
A group of rebels opened fire at them while they were going to Bhadutala at around 3 pm, sources revealed.
***
No state funeral for Ray: Pranab raps Bengal govt
KAUSHIK PRADHAN
Kolkata
Nov. 21: Union finance minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday vehemently criticised the Bengal government for not giving state funeral to former chief minister Siddartha Shankar Ray who died on November 6.
The state government did not accord full state honours to Siddartha Shankar Ray and even the decision to give the former chief minister the honour of gun salute was taken just before his final journey was to begin from his Beltala residence on November 7.
The state mourning was also not declared by the Bengal government. Referring to all these, Mr Mukherjee quipped: “What has been done is not at all right.”
He was speaking at the condolence meeting which was being held in honour of the late chief minister. According to the protocol, Prime Ministers and Presidents are entitled to get state funeral after their deaths.