The CPI(M), a key ally of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, is finally acting tough on the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and its chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The Party on Friday demanded a time-bound enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the grisly murders of children and teenagers at Noida’s Nithari village. The party added that UP police’s callous approach should be derided.
The party also described as "shocking, unbelievable and insensitive" the reported statement of UP PWD minister and CM Mulayam Singh Yadav’s brother, Shivpal Singh Yadav that the Nithari incident was a small one and such incidents keep happening.
It has planned a demonstration and a protest meeting at the village on Saturday, which is expected to be attended by industrial workers.
A CPI(M) delegation, led by politburo member, Brinda Karat, is slated to visit Nithari on Saturday morning and meet the victims’ families. Karat, who returned from Calcutta on Friday after attending the party’s Politburo and Centre Committee meetings, said that the sheer dimensions of the case calls for a CBI enquiry.
"How can the Uttar Pradesh police be given the job of investigating the crime after its role in the delay of registering a case has come to light? People and also the families no longer have faith in them (the police)," Karat told the Hindustan Times.
{{/usCountry}}"How can the Uttar Pradesh police be given the job of investigating the crime after its role in the delay of registering a case has come to light? People and also the families no longer have faith in them (the police)," Karat told the Hindustan Times.
{{/usCountry}}Karat said that because of the many dimensions of the case – including the possible angle of organ trading – it is only right that CBI looks into it. "The requirement is that of a time-bound investigation," she said, adding that it would have been appropriate if the CM had ordered it.
The delegation would comprise party members besides representatives from its women’s wing the All India Democratic Women’s Association.
The case, she said, has exposed the helplessness and vulnerability of migrant labour. "Delhi and its surrounding areas have a large workforce comprising migrant labour. The incident has shown the lack of access this workforce has to the justice system. Children go missing and cases are not registered," Karat said.
Email Sutirtho Patranobis: sutirthopatranobis@hindustantimes.com