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WEST BENGAL Finance Minister and veteran BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta on Monday strongly criticised attacks on CPI(M) book stalls set up during Durga Puja at different places in the state. Taking strong exception, he said, “I don’t know who are they. But I must ask, how dare they. This is not acceptable. If one incident happens, one can say it was a stray incident but I saw this has happened in three-four areas. I have ideological differences with the Left but I can’t destroy their book stall or display of books. I was ashamed after seeing such incidents.”

Earlier, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya also sought to distance his party from the attacks.

The CPI(M) alleged that late Friday night, a group of miscreants, with their faces covered, vandalised several party book stalls along the GT Road. According to the party, its book stall near Chinnamasta temple in Ward No 10 of Bardhaman town, as well as the stall in Badamtala, were vandalised. The party claimed that an e-mail had been sent in advance to police requesting security but the vandalism took place despite that.

According to CPI(M) sources, a party book stall at Charapole Mor in Bijpur Palashi Majhipara in Barrackpore was vandalised and set on fire on Thursday.

Allegations of vandalism have also emerged from Noapara in North 24 Parganas and from Jorabagan in Kolkata, Shibpur in Howrah and Kulpi in West Bardhaman district.

CPIM state secretary Mohammed Salim said, “Sometimes in Kasba, sometimes in Howrah, sometimes in Behala, sometimes in Birati, sometimes in Bhatpara, in Naihati, one after another, the bookstalls of Left-wing organisations are being vandalised. Arson, attacks and attempts to create unrest are taking place. We will resist them. No ruler can stop people from reading books, printing books, or selling books.”

Mamata Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said, “It appears that such a situation is being created by the BJP…. This should not happen. The BJP is destroying the democratic space.”