Kolkata:
Reminiscing the death of 13 people in Kolkata in police firing during the Left regime way back in 1993, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed solidarity with all those who laid down their lives towards the cause of democratic movements worldwide.
"On this date in 1993, a democratic movement was going on in Bengal with the demand, 'no voter ID, no vote'. Police fired indiscriminately on the peaceful demonstrators at Kolkata. 13 people died and more than 100 were injured," said Banerjee in a Facebook post.
Stating that July 21 is being commemorated as 'Shahid Divas' by Trinamool for the last several years, Banerjee said, however, the event this year will be observed on August 21 due to the ongoing panchayat polls in the state.
"On Monday, the 4th phase of elections will be held for Birbhum, Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda districts. So we are dedicating 21st August of this year to hold 'Shahid Divas'," she said.
"On Sunday, on this occasion, we remember our colleagues whom we lost and extend our solidarity to all those who laid down their lives towards the cause of democratic movements worldwide," posted Banerjee.
Way back in 93, Banerjee then a fiery Youth Congress leader along with several other party leaders, who are now in Trinamool, had led a huge protest rally in demand of 'no voter ID, no vote'.
The police administration under the then Left Front regime had fired upon the protesters resulting into the death of 13 Congress activists.
