Left Front takes out huge procession supporting Saddam

Kolkata, Nov 16 (UNI) Denouncing US 'imperialism' and cursing President George Bush, the ruling Left Front took out a massive procession in the city today in protest against the death sentence to the deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Holding red flags and posters and taking out tableaux, scores of thousands of people joined the silent procession, participated by among others, ministers, students, workers and several noted personalities, including magician P C Sorcer(jr).

''Down with George Bush'' and ''George Bush is the greatest enemy to humanity'' -- the posters read while pictures of the US President with a noose tightened around the neck was displayed on the tableaux demanding his punishment instead of Saddam Hussein.

The procession, claimed to be having a strength of more than 100,000, walked about a ten km stretch from Park Circus Maidan in South Kolkata to Deshbandhu Park in the north.

As a result, movement of vehicular traffic along a major stretch of the city was thrown out of gear.

The procession was part of the Front's ten-day statewide programme against death sentence to Saddam Hussein.

Speaking at a rally before the procession took off, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu alleged that 'Anglo-US imperialist axis' was infringing on the sovereignty of the third world countries and the happenings in Iraq sounded a grim warning to India as well.

''I wish I can vanish the tyrants as and when I see injustice and oppression. What America has done with Iraq has made me join this procession to air my protest,'' Mr P C Sorcer said.

Health Minister Surjyakanta Mishra, Jail Affairs Minister Biswanath Chowdhury and PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami were among others who participated in the procession.

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