The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demanded immediate action in the Bankura attack case that claimed the life of the father of its volunteer Abdul Hafeez, warning that it will gherao the District Magistrate’s office within 10 days if its demands are not met.
A CJP delegation led by co-convener Ashutosh Ranka visited Hafeez and his family at Karisunda village in West Bengal’s Bankura district on Monday, days after the alleged attack that left the 25-year-old activist’s father dead.
The delegation included senior party members Vijay Mallangi, Ankit Bhardwaj, Akash Prem and Sudhir Sangwan. Local CJP leaders, including Maruf and Dedipya Ganguly, were also present.
The incident has drawn national attention because Hafeez was reportedly involved in CJP’s “School Thik Karo” campaign, under which volunteers document poor infrastructure and facilities in government schools and seek administrative action.
According to reports, Hafeez had filmed the condition of a local school when he was allegedly targeted by a group of men. His family claims the attackers later stormed their home and assaulted them, resulting in fatal injuries to his father.
According to CJP, the attack was “targeted” and politically motivated. The party alleged that power to Hafeez’s house was cut before the assault and claimed that a second attack took place at a hospital where the victims were receiving treatment. The organisation also accused local police of failing to provide adequate protection despite prior alerts.
8 Arrested So Far
The case has already seen significant police action. Reports indicate that eight people, including a local BJP leader, have been arrested in connection with the attack, though investigations are continuing.
The BJP has said that strict action should be taken if any of its workers are found involved.
Addressing the media after meeting the family, Ranka described the attack as “brutal” and “calculated”, alleging that violence had been used to silence demands for better public education.
The family, however, has made it clear that it is not seeking monetary compensation. According to CJP, Hafeez’s primary demand is justice for his father and the establishment of a government school in his father’s name so that poor children in the village can access quality education.
CJP’s 4 Demands
The party has issued a four-point charter of demands. These include registration of an FIR against all accused persons, a court-monitored investigation into alleged police negligence, round-the-clock security for Hafeez and his family, and the setting up of a public school in memory of the deceased.
CJP has now given the administration a 10-day deadline to act. If no concrete action is taken, the organisation says it will mobilise supporters and stage a peaceful protest outside the District Magistrate’s office, demanding accountability and justice for the family.
(With inputs from agencies)