Karat terms Netai killings ‘unfortunate’, declines further comment

KOLKATA - Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat Sunday termed the killings of nine people in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district as “unfortunate” but denied to comment further as an investigation is on.

“The root cause of this violence in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts is the aggression and violence by the Maoists. That is why joint forces have been deployed there. And everybody knows what is the role and political position of the various parties in connection with the violence,” said Karat while addressing media persons here.

At least seven people were shot dead and 12 wounded allegedly by Marxist-backed assailants in Netai village in West Bengal last week. Two more people later died in hospital taking the toll to nine.

“Investigation is on and it is unfortunate that eight (sic) people have lost their lives. The high court will soon give a verdict on a petition. I don’t want to go further. We all know the situation of these districts and who is responsible for the violence there,” said Karat.