Netai: HC raps CID,hands probe to CBI

The Bench also said that the CBI probe would be monitored by the High Court and the agency would have to file a report on the investigation within 15 days. It also directed the CID to co-operate with the CBI in the investigation in the case,in which nine people were killed allegedly by CPM cadres.

The High Court order comes as a blow to the state’s main investigative agency. Just about a month ago,the Nicole Tamang missing case was similarly taken away from the CID and handed over to the CBI by the High Court.

West Bengal Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh said: “The IO (investigating officer) and the supervising officers in the CID monitored the case,not the chief secretary,nor the home secretary. Any responsibility in this connection should rest with them.”

After Advocate General Bolai Roy placed the case diary,the Division Bench went through it and expressed dissatisfaction on the progress of the investigation. The Bench said,“It was clear that armed camp had been set up in Netai village which was organised by the CPM Lalgarh local committee.”

It wanted to know why the CID officials had not yet examined the members of the CPM local committee to find out identity of those who ran the armed camp. It pointed out that the case diary did not mention any details of three CPM members who are still absconding. Justifying the setting up the camp at Netai,Roy replied it was set up to protect the villagers from Maoists.

The Bench questioned,“Then what was role of the police in protecting the villagers from the Maoists.”

What happened in Netai

On the morning of January 7,armed CPM cadres staying in a camp in Netai opened indiscriminate fire on a group of villagers who had assembled outside the camp to protest against torture on them. They had refused to depute members for arms training in the CPM camp. Armed cadres from another camp at Birkar also rushed to Netai and went the rooftop,from where they fied on the protesting vilagers killing nine of them,including two women. At least 20 others were injured.