CPI-M worker killed in Bengal, nine held

Kolkata, Feb 12: Nine people have been arrested and several others detained in connection with the attack on a CPI-M procession in West Bengal's Burdwan district which claimed one life, police said on Friday.

The attack took place Thursday night in Raina when bombs were hurled at a CPI-M procession protesting alleged mismanagement in distribution of new digital food security cards and ration cards by the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government.

While 20 people sustained were injured in the attack, Swapan Malik (50) succumbed to his injuries late night.

"We have arrested nine people in this connection. Over a dozen people have been detained for questioning," said Superintendent of Police Kunal Aggarwal.

While police have not commented on the political affiliation of the accused, the Communist Party of India-Marxist has accused the Trinamool of orchestrating the attack.

"Instead of legitimate food grains, Swapan Malik of Raina is killed by TMC hurled bombs. His blood must not go in vain. Intensify struggles," said leader of opposition and state CPI-M secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra.

There have been several instances of rioting and ration dealers and shops being attacked in the past few weeks.

While Chief Minister Banerjee has been assuring the glitches in destruction of digitised ration cards will be sorted out, the opposition has been mounting attack on her charging the government with extending the benefits in a biased manner.