Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 20 : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday tabled the Justice Sushanta Kumar Chatterjee Commission report on the July 21, 1993 police firing in the State Assembly and announced that families of those killed would be eligible for compensation of Rs 25 lakh each, while the injured would receive Rs 5 lakh each, in line with the commission's recommendations.
Addressing the Assembly, Adhikari said the commission's report had been submitted long ago and, as per established procedure, it was being formally placed before the House before being made available to the public.
"The commission gave its report a long time ago. The rule is that after receiving a commission's report, it should be presented to the cabinet and then tabled in the Assembly. The Assembly is a temple to us, the biggest temple of democracy. I am handing this over to the Secretary. Those who want the operative part can obtain a photocopy by writing a letter, as per the rules," Adhikari said.
Referring to the findings of the Justice Sushanta Kumar Chatterjee Commission, constituted in 2011 to probe the July 21, 1993 firing, the Chief Minister said the panel had examined 44 witnesses, including former senior bureaucrats, police officials and political leaders.
Adhikari said that the commission concluded there was no justification for the police firing and observed that an adequate executive inquiry had not been conducted. He said the report found that the perceived threat to the Writers' Buildings was "imaginary" and that the firing at Mayo Road, Dorina Crossing, Metro Cinema and Esplanade East was "unnecessary, unprovoked and illogical."
Highlighting the recommendations, Adhikari said the commission had proposed compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 5 lakh for the injured, besides recommending that the deceased be recognised as martyrs.
"You gave Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 15,000 to the injured, while the commission recommended Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the injured. If the affected families seek compensation as per the commission's recommendation, I will provide that compensation from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund," he said.
The July 21, 1993 agitation, led by Mamata Banerjee as the then West Bengal Youth Congress chief, demanded mandatory photo voter identity cards to prevent electoral malpractice. Police opened fire during the protest near the Writers' Buildings, leaving 13 Youth Congress workers dead. The Trinamool Congress observes July 21 every year as 'Shaheed Diwas' in memory of those killed.