This Article is From Feb 18, 2011

Netai killings: Kolkata High Court orders CBI probe

Netai killings: Kolkata High Court orders CBI probe
Kolkata: The Kolkata High Court has ordered a CBI probe into the Netai killings at Lalgarh earlier this year.

The High Court order came after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the Calcutta Bar Association in January demanding a CBI probe into the incident

The court, during the hearing, rapped the Central Investigation Department (CID) for its probe and wanted to know why the agency was not interrogating CPI(M)'s Lalgarh local committee members.

It pointed out that one of the two persons arrested, Abani Singh, had said in his interrogation that the armed camp at Netai had been set up on the instruction of the Lalgarh local committee.

"You should go to the top to find out who ordered the setting of the armed camps in the Lalgarh area", the court said.

Earlier, the High Court had sought the government's view on a CBI probe.

The West Bengal Home Secretary had filed an affidavit saying no CBI inquiry was needed as the CID was already investigating the case.

Nine persons were killed at Netai in Lalgarh on January 7 after CPI(M) supporters allegedly opened fire on villagers.

Armed CPI(M) activists had been staying at the house of a party leader at Netai.

They opened fire when villagers allegedly surrounded the house protesting against sending young boys for arms training as allegedly demanded by CPI(M) cadres.
 
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