On August 19, CPI(ML) MP Sudama Prasad and party MLA Arun Singh met the Inspector General of Police, Bihar, and submitted a memorandum seeking justice for labourer Chandeshwar Chaudhary, who was killed after demanding payment of wages in Milki Manihari. The party said feudal landlord Ajit Tiwari was responsible for the killing.
The CPI(ML) leaders demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family of the deceased and a government job for one member of the family. They also demanded the immediate arrest of Ajit Tiwari and all other named accused and called for a speedy trial and stringent punishment for those responsible for the murder. The party further demanded that cases be registered against Tiwari under the laws relating to possession of illegal arms and violations of Bihar’s prohibition law for selling liquor.
The CPI(ML) leaders demanded withdrawal of cases registered against 300 to 400 people following the incident, saying the cases were filed by criminalising the people’s natural protest. They also sought protection for the victim’s family and other poor people in the area.
The memorandum demanded an end to the use of what the party described as false cases to suppress the local population and called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested in such cases.
The CPI(ML) leaders also raised the issue of land under the control of Ajit Tiwari. According to the memorandum, around 32 acres of land were brought under the land ceiling law in 1987 and more than 45 landless people were subsequently issued land pattas. However, the party said the beneficiaries had still not been given possession of the land.
The memorandum said land revenue receipts were being issued in the names of four beneficiaries, Kailash Ram, Kavilas Ram, Rameshwar Ram and Arun Kumar, while the names of five others, Vishwanath Ram, Singhasan Ram, Ghamdi Ram, Rampravesh Ram and Jitendra Ram, had appeared on the government portal but receipts had not been issued.
The CPI(ML) demanded that all the patta holders be given possession of the land without further delay.
