CPM rally to speed up CBI probe

The central agency is probing the murders of 10 persons, who died at Bogtui village after many houses were set on fire on March 21 night

Representational image: File Photo

Snehamoy Chakraborty   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   03.06.22  : CPM leaders Sujan Chakraborty and Ramchandra Dome led a rally in Birbhum district’s Rampurhat on Wednesday to mount pressure on the CBI to speed up its Bogtui carnage probe.

The central agency is probing the murders of 10 persons in Bogtui village under Rampurhat subdivision who died  — some immediately and some in hospital — after many houses were set on fire on March 21 night, reportedly the fallout of the murder of local Trinamul leader Bhadu Sheikh.

The CPM took out a rally from Bogtui to the temporary CBI office on the outskirts of Rampurhat. Chakraborty said the rally was meant to try and ensure that the CBI didn’t try to push things under the carpet like in the “Saradha and Narada cases”.

Chakraborty, Dome and others met CBI officials and were told 28 persons had so far been arrested in connection with the Bogtui case and two of them were out on bail.

Six persons were taken into custody in connection with the murder of Bhadu Sheikh.

“The officers told us that they (the CBI) were facing some constraints such as lack of manpower and unreliable local police,” said Dome, adding that the CBI must overcome constraints and punish those behind the carnage.

Following a Calcutta High Court order, the CBI had taken up the investigation of the mass killing on March 25 and lodged an FIR against 20 named and 70 unnamed accused.

About a fortnight later, the court handed CBI the Bhadu murder case as well.

Of the 10 who died in the Bogtui carnage, eight were women. Of the remaining two, one was a child.