Thousands attend peace rally to condemn Israeli attack on Lebanon

Kolkata, Aug 6 (UNI) Protesting against the loss of hundreds of innocent lives in Lebanon in Israeli bombing, thousands today took out a two-KMs long peace procession today.

Demanding immediate cessation of hostility both by the Israeli forces and Hizbollah militants, the processionsts led by Left Front Chairman Biman Bose and CPI-(M) MPs Mohammasd Salim and Sudhangshu Sil also blamed the USA for deliberately remaining a mute spectator in the bloody war game, claiming more than 1,000 lives so far.

Shouting anti-Israeli and anti-USA slogans, holding them responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians, the urged the Centre as well as the United Nations to raise their voice against Israeli war efforts in various fora.

Only such efforts would force the Israeli forces to stop unabated bombing on civilian tragets, they said.

Also criticising the role of the Hizbul militants for unnecessarily dragging Lebanon into a virtual war, the marchers also asked them to desist from attacking Israeli installations.

After traversing the main thorough fares, the procession later convereged into a rally near the American Centre where several others including Imam of Nakhoda Mosque addressed the gathering.

UNI ABA BA AB PKS RS2220