Taslima shifted to Jaipur

Even AS the authorities in Kolkata moved Taslima Nasreen to Rajasthan, the presence of the controversial author in the city had the ruling split into two factions.

Even AS the authorities in Kolkata moved Taslima Nasreen to Rajasthan, the presence of the controversial author in the city had the ruling CPIM split into two factions. While one group wanted her to stay back, the other wanted her out.

And caught between the two groups was party state secretary Biman Bose who had on Wednesday said that the author8217;s visa should be cancelled if her presence was causing problems. On Thursday, he backtracked from his statement, and said only the Centre had the power to do that.

8220;Yesterday, I made a statement regarding Taslima Nasreen. I should have made it clear that it is not the state Government, but the Central Government which has the right to cancel a visa. I am correcting my statement. Let the Centre take a decision regarding her visa,8221; he said in a statement. But by then the damage had been done.

In New Delhi, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said he strongly disagreed with Bose. Dasgupta told reporters outside Parliament that every writer has a freedom and the Left Front Government should ensure that it is protected. Singing a similar tune, West Bengal Sports and Transport Minister Subhas Chakrabarty said, 8220;The state should not recommend the cancellation of her visa. And if it cannot take care of her protection I am ready to give her shelter at my place.8221;

But Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim, who represents Entally, the epicentre of Wednesday8217;s violence, said: 8220;I believe her presence is definitely creating problem for the state8230; If her stay becomes troublesome the state should send a report recommending the cancellation of her visa to the Centre.8221;

Amidst all the politicking, the author was shifted to Jaipur on Thursday morning. 8220;She has left the city for Jaipur. We told her that she would be safer there,8221; said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.

Meanwhile, the Army continued to patrol the city streets with the Kolkata Police not wanting to take any chances with the security situation. The night curfew was lifted as the troubled areas slowly returned to normalcy. 8220;The situation is peaceful today, with no incidents of violence being reported so far. However, we are not taking any chances and have asked the Government to allow the army to remain on the streets for some more days. Four columns of the Army will remain in the disturbed areas,8221; said Commissioner of Police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty.