July 16, 2012
Trinamool Congress leaders discusses Martyrs` Day plans, Shahid Smarak at 141 wards
Nearly 19-years have passed yet the Trinamool Congress has not forgotten that Black-Day of July 21, 2012 and they organize a meeting on this fateful day to pay their respects to the martyrs. This year the programme will take place at Dharmatala. Trinamool Congress leaders on Sunday to meet and discuss the planning in the wake of Shahid Diwas on July 21, 2012.
The Trinamool Congress pay their respect to the martyrs who had lost their lives on July 21, 1993, when the Calcutta Police, under Left Front Government mercilessly opened fire and killed 13 innocent activists. Youth Congress supporters under the leadership of Ms. Banerjee, then West Bengal State President of Youth Congress had organized Writers' Abhijaan (march towards Writers' Building) in demand that the 'Voters' Identity Card' be made the only valid document to verify voters in order to put a stop the rampant 'scientific rigging' gathered at five different points across the city. Youth Congress supporters gathered at five different points in the city and the one which had assembled at the Howrah station and began marching towards the destination along Brabourne Road were stopped by a large contingent of police near the Tea Board office, barely few minutes from the Writers' Building. An unleashed police force started beating up the crowd mercilessly in order to drive them away from the vicinity of the Writers' Building. The police opened fire killing 13 supporters and leaving 200 severely injured.
Since then Trinamool Congress observe this day solemnly. The party members gather at the venue and pay their tributes to the martyrs. After coming to power Trinamool Congress under the leadership of Ms. Mamata Banerjee decided to hold the meeting at the Brigade Parade grounds last year but due to inclement weather since early morning on that day the programme was washed out. However, inspite of the cyclonic weather the turn out was immense as they all had come to listen to the Trinamool Congress Chairperson and Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee. The party has decided to hold the programme this year at Dharmatala.
On Sunday Trinamool leaders and members of the core committee held a meeting at the Trinamool Bhawan in Topsia and decided that all those who will be coming from the districts to join in the programme on Martyr's Day should reach Kolkata on July 19 to avoid any last-minute commotion. The traffic commuting from the Howrah and Sealdah station on that day will not be disturbed and officials have been asked to make sure that the general commuters should not face any sort of harassment.
Trinamool Congress leaders at blocks and districts were advised to join-in the programme in a disciplined manner. The meeting which was presided over by the Trinamool Congress General Secretary also discussed the issue like lodging of these people who will come from districts. Apart from that it was decided that digital screens will be put up at strategic point at Dharmatala where the sitting arrangements will be done since everybody will not be able to reach the venue. Also it was decided at `Shahid Smarak` will be constructed across 141 wards.
