Assaulted CPI leader dies in Guwahati

Guwahati, Jul 4: A CPI leader, assaulted by policemen in front of Morigaon police station on Tuesday, succumbed to his injuries at a city hospital.

Morigaon district CPI general secretary Manoj Deka was seriously injured when a police constable assaulted him allegedly on instruction of the Officer In-Charge on the pretext of searching Mr Deka.

He was brought to Guwahati and admitted to a city hospital, where he was declared dead today due to brain haemorrhage.

CPI state general secretary and MLA Pramode Gogoi, condoling the death of Mr Deka, said, It was a pre-planned attack by the ruling party in connivance with the local police.

He demanded immediate arrest of the guilty policemen and trial for charges of murder.

''The party also demands an inquiry by a sitting high court judge as the announced probe by a magistrate will not be impartial since many political leaders are involved in this murder,'' Mr Gogoi said.

Smelling a political conspiracy in the incident, he said, ''It is the first time a Communist leader has been killed in this manner in the state and the government should ensure no repeat.'' The CPI leader informed that all political parties have extended their support to the party for pressing charges against the police men and pressuring the government for an impartial enquiry.

UNI