From jail,Chhatradhar jibe at Mamata: What happened to promise?

Jailed architect of the Lalgarh revolt,Chhatradhar Mahato,has written a letter to intellectuals,asking them to explain why they were not raising voice against the pathetic condition of political prisoners in so-called correctional homes in West Bengal and torture in police lock up

Jailed architect of the Lalgarh revolt,Chhatradhar Mahato,has written a letter to intellectuals,asking them to explain why they were not raising voice against the pathetic condition of political prisoners in so-called correctional homes in West Bengal and torture in police lock up.

Facing charges under UAPA and various sections of IPC,Mahato,who is currently lodged in the Midnapore Central Correctional Home,also asked members of the Bondi Mukti Committee,set up by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,to clarify what they have done to release political prisoners a promise made by the Trinamool Congress in the run-up to the Assembly polls.

Words such as bondi mukti and withdrawal of cases against political prisoners appear to be farce for persons like us who are languishing in jails for being involved in mass movement, Mahato wrote in the letter.

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The letter came at a time when the Chief Minister is claiming that her government has fulfilled the promise of release of political prisoners. We have released 30 out of 52 political prisoners whose release was recommended by the Bondi Mukti Committee, Mamata said at Writers Buildings last week.

Though some political prisoners in North Bengal were released,not a single political prisoner from South Bengal has been freed so far. Arrests and torture is continuing in Junglemahal. We have doubts about the activities of the Bondi Mukti Committee, Mahatos letter said.