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{{Use dmy dates|date= | {{Short description|1970 murders in West Bengal, India}} | ||
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{{Infobox civilian attack | {{Infobox civilian attack | ||
| title | | title = Sainbari Murder | ||
| image | | image = | ||
| caption = | |||
| location = [[Bardhaman]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]] | |||
| date = 17 March 1970 | |||
| location | | target = Sain Family | ||
| victims = Pranab Kumar Sain,<br />Malay Kumar Sain and <br />Jitendranath Roy | |||
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}} | }} | ||
The '''Sainbari | The '''Sainbari incident''' refers to a violent political clash that occurred on 17 March 1970 in [[Bardhaman]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]], during a period of intense political conflict between the [[Indian National Congress]] and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)). The incident involved multiple deaths and became a subject of prolonged political controversy in the state.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=196321&usrsess=1 |title=The Statesman<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227202612/http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=3&id=196321&usrsess=1 |archive-date=2007-12-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
== Background == | |||
The late 1960s and early 1970s in West Bengal were marked by significant political instability, including the fall of coalition governments and increasing clashes between rival political groups. | |||
On 16 March 1970, the [[Second Mukherjee ministry|Second United Front government]] led by Chief Minister [[Ajoy Mukherjee]] was dismissed. In response, left parties including CPI(M) called for a statewide bandh (general strike) on 17 March.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=ভাদুড়ি |first=অর্ক |date=2021-06-18 |title=সিপিএমের সাঁইবাড়ি সংকট: আত্মসমর্পণের পর ইতিহাসের সামনে তোতলামি |url=https://nagorik.net/politics/state-politics/left-congress-alliance-past-and-future/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=Nagorik.net |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
The Sain family in Bardhaman was a [[zamindar]] family, and a strong supporter of the Congress.<ref name=":0" /> They were also allegedly involved in acts of aggression against CPI(M) supporters.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=সম্পাদক সমীপেষু: শুধুই কি সাঁইবাড়ি? |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/editorial/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor-cpm-and-congress-fought-the-election-in-a-coalition-even-after-history-of-sainbari/cid/1288958 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210704091934/https://www.anandabazar.com/editorial/letters-to-the-editor/letters-to-the-editor-cpm-and-congress-fought-the-election-in-a-coalition-even-after-history-of-sainbari/cid/1288958 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |access-date=2026-03-17}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |title=‘সাঁইবাড়ির ভূতের’ চাপে অস্থির সিপিএম-কংগ্রেস |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/ghost-of-sainbari-returns-to-haunt-cpm-congress/cid/1286838 |archive-date=2021-06-14 |access-date=2026-03-17}}</ref> | |||
==Incident== | ==Incident== | ||
On 17 March 1970, a procession associated with the bandh took place in [[Bardhaman]] town. According to accounts: the procession was initially peaceful. It was attacked with bombs and pipe guns by armed individuals allegedly associated with the Congress. The violence at the Sain residence occurred as part of a retaliatory clash rather than a premeditated attack.<ref name=":1" /> This claim was substantiated by the Mukherjee Commission report.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Durga Shibaprasad Roy Another v. Union Of India Others, Calcutta High Court, Judgment, Law, casemine.com |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/in/56ea8314607dba36fd0b7a1e |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=https://www.casemine.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Reports alleged that as part of the retaliatory clash, a large group of CPI(M) supporters attacked the residence of the Sain family, leading to the deaths of Malay Sain and Pranab Sain, along with another individual Jitendranath Roy.<ref name="Indian Express">{{Cite web |date=9 April 2016 |title=Irony deals a brutal hand on this family — in CPM-Congress alliance, 46 yrs after Sainbai massacre |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/elections-2016/india/india-news-india/west-bengal-elections-2016-cpim-congress-1970-sainbai-massacre/}}</ref> | |||
== Legal proceedings == | |||
A criminal case (commonly referred to as the ''Sainbari case'') was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) as Burdwan Police Station Case No. 50 of 1970 filed on the day of the incident. Charges were framed against multiple accused persons, including political figures like CPI(M) leader [[Benoy Krishna Konar|Benoy Konar]].<ref name=":2" /> The State Govt appointed Retd. Judge Tarapada Mukherjee as Commission of Enquiry (known as the Mukherjee Commission) on 28th April 1970. It submitted its report to the State Govt on 27th July, 1970 mentioning that the local police and administration were unable to control the crowds and the situation.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
In 1978, Judge R.K. Kar acquitted all the 83 people accused in the case.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
[[File:Memorial plaque of Martyrs at Ahladipur Village, Bardhaman.jpg|thumb|280x280px|Memorial plaque of martyrs at Ahladipur Village, Bardhaman]] | |||
Congress party leadership including [[Indira Gandhi]] had visited the house in the heart of [[Bardhaman]] town after the incident.<ref name=Statesman>{{cite web | url =http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=22&id=285903&usrsess=1 | title = Sainbari survivors despair of getting justice| publisher = The Statesman, 5 May 2009 | accessdate = 2009-08-10}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> | |||
In 1971, Bhabadish Roy, a lawyer representing the accused in the Sainbari case, was killed; some accounts attribute the killing to individuals associated with the Congress party.<ref name=":1" /> On 12 June 1972, another episode of violence occurred in Ahladipur village in the [[Khandaghosh (community development block)|Khandaghosh area]]. According to reports, a group associated with Congress led by Nabakumar Sain (another brother of the Sain family) attacked the village, resulting in the deaths of four individuals - Shibu Roy, Ansar Mirza, Syed Mirza and Sharat Dolui and the destruction of several houses.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" /> | |||
In [[2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2011]] and the newly elected [[Trinamool Congress|Trinamool]] government formed a commission to probe the incident under Retd. Justice Arunabha Basu. As per reports, the Arunabha Basu Commission had not submitted any report till date.<ref>{{Cite news |last=দত্ত |first=সৌমেন |title=ভোট-প্রচার, পাল্টা প্রচারে ফের সাঁইবাড়ি |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/lok-sabha-election-2019-even-after-50-years-sainbari-incident-is-still-the-hot-topic-1.967147 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230216151942/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/lok-sabha-election-2019-even-after-50-years-sainbari-incident-is-still-the-hot-topic-1.967147 |archive-date=2023-02-16 |access-date=2026-03-17 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/its-politics-of-vendetta-buddhadeb/article2351526.ece|title=It's politics of vendetta: Buddhadeb|first=Ananya|last=Dutta|newspaper=The Hindu |date=13 August 2011|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=‘সিপিএম অতীত’ বলে সাঁইবাড়ি ক্ষত উসকে দিল কংগ্রেস, এবার বামেদের সঙ্গে সম্মুখসমরে হাত শিবির? |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/bengal/west-bengal-assembly-election-congress-reminds-cpm-of-sainbari-before-wb-election/pid/1127473/ |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=sangbadpratidin |language=bn}}</ref> | |||
the | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{Purba Bardhaman topics}} | {{Purba Bardhaman topics}} | ||
[[Category:Communist terrorist incidents in India]] | |||
[[Category:Communist | |||
[[Category:Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] | [[Category:Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] | ||
[[Category:Political repression]] | [[Category:Political repression]] | ||
[[Category:Crime in West Bengal]] | [[Category:Crime in West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:1970s in West Bengal]] | [[Category:1970s in West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:1970 | [[Category:1970 murders in India]] | ||
[[Category:Purba Bardhaman district]] | [[Category:Purba Bardhaman district]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:26, 18 March 2026
| Sainbari Murder | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bardhaman, West Bengal, India |
| Date | 17 March 1970 |
| Target | Sain Family |
| Victims | Pranab Kumar Sain, Malay Kumar Sain and Jitendranath Roy |
The Sainbari incident refers to a violent political clash that occurred on 17 March 1970 in Bardhaman, West Bengal, India, during a period of intense political conflict between the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). The incident involved multiple deaths and became a subject of prolonged political controversy in the state.[1]
Background[edit | edit source]
The late 1960s and early 1970s in West Bengal were marked by significant political instability, including the fall of coalition governments and increasing clashes between rival political groups.
On 16 March 1970, the Second United Front government led by Chief Minister Ajoy Mukherjee was dismissed. In response, left parties including CPI(M) called for a statewide bandh (general strike) on 17 March.[2]
The Sain family in Bardhaman was a zamindar family, and a strong supporter of the Congress.[1] They were also allegedly involved in acts of aggression against CPI(M) supporters.[2][3][4]
Incident[edit | edit source]
On 17 March 1970, a procession associated with the bandh took place in Bardhaman town. According to accounts: the procession was initially peaceful. It was attacked with bombs and pipe guns by armed individuals allegedly associated with the Congress. The violence at the Sain residence occurred as part of a retaliatory clash rather than a premeditated attack.[2] This claim was substantiated by the Mukherjee Commission report.[5]
Reports alleged that as part of the retaliatory clash, a large group of CPI(M) supporters attacked the residence of the Sain family, leading to the deaths of Malay Sain and Pranab Sain, along with another individual Jitendranath Roy.[6]
Legal proceedings[edit | edit source]
A criminal case (commonly referred to as the Sainbari case) was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) as Burdwan Police Station Case No. 50 of 1970 filed on the day of the incident. Charges were framed against multiple accused persons, including political figures like CPI(M) leader Benoy Konar.[5] The State Govt appointed Retd. Judge Tarapada Mukherjee as Commission of Enquiry (known as the Mukherjee Commission) on 28th April 1970. It submitted its report to the State Govt on 27th July, 1970 mentioning that the local police and administration were unable to control the crowds and the situation.[5]
In 1978, Judge R.K. Kar acquitted all the 83 people accused in the case.[5]
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
Congress party leadership including Indira Gandhi had visited the house in the heart of Bardhaman town after the incident.[7]
In 1971, Bhabadish Roy, a lawyer representing the accused in the Sainbari case, was killed; some accounts attribute the killing to individuals associated with the Congress party.[2] On 12 June 1972, another episode of violence occurred in Ahladipur village in the Khandaghosh area. According to reports, a group associated with Congress led by Nabakumar Sain (another brother of the Sain family) attacked the village, resulting in the deaths of four individuals - Shibu Roy, Ansar Mirza, Syed Mirza and Sharat Dolui and the destruction of several houses.[3][2]
In 2011 and the newly elected Trinamool government formed a commission to probe the incident under Retd. Justice Arunabha Basu. As per reports, the Arunabha Basu Commission had not submitted any report till date.[8][9][10]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Statesman". Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 ভাদুড়ি, অর্ক (18 June 2021). "সিপিএমের সাঁইবাড়ি সংকট: আত্মসমর্পণের পর ইতিহাসের সামনে তোতলামি". Nagorik.net. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "সম্পাদক সমীপেষু: শুধুই কি সাঁইবাড়ি?". Archived from the original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "'সাঁইবাড়ির ভূতের' চাপে অস্থির সিপিএম-কংগ্রেস". Retrieved 17 March 2026.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Durga Shibaprasad Roy Another v. Union Of India Others, Calcutta High Court, Judgment, Law, casemine.com". https://www.casemine.com. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ↑ "Irony deals a brutal hand on this family — in CPM-Congress alliance, 46 yrs after Sainbai massacre". 9 April 2016.
- ↑ "Sainbari survivors despair of getting justice". The Statesman, 5 May 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009. [dead link]
- ↑ দত্ত, সৌমেন. "ভোট-প্রচার, পাল্টা প্রচারে ফের সাঁইবাড়ি" (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ Dutta, Ananya (13 August 2011). "It's politics of vendetta: Buddhadeb". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
- ↑ "'সিপিএম অতীত' বলে সাঁইবাড়ি ক্ষত উসকে দিল কংগ্রেস, এবার বামেদের সঙ্গে সম্মুখসমরে হাত শিবির?". sangbadpratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 March 2026.