Kolkata, November 7
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today turned down the demand for a judicial probe and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the gruesome killings at the Birpara Dalgaon tea estate, following a feud between two rival groups of CPM’s labour front CITU.
The Divisional Commissioner of North Bengal, Mr Balbir Ram, will conduct the inquiry and submit his report to the government within a week. Besides, the state intelligence branch and the CID will also hold inquiries separately.
The Trinamool Congress, the Congress and the BJP demanded a judicial inquiry into the Birpara killings. SUCI had demanded a CBI probe.
The police today confirmed the death of 21 persons (15 burnt alive and six stabbed with swords and choppers). However, so far only 19 bodies have been identified. The remaining two have been charged beyond recognition.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the entire tea garden area, where the CPI(M-L) today observed a
bandh.
