It was Wednesday, 31st January 1979. A black day in our history. Thousands of Dalit Refugees were killed by the police of Jyoti Basu led left-front govt in #Marichjhaanpi, West Bengal.

It started on 24th January when police blocked the food and water supply to those Dalit Refugees. Section 144 was imposed on 26th January, Republic day. #Marichjhaanpi

On 28th January when women were trying to get drinking water, their boats were drowned by the police. And then tear gas was used on them. #Marichjhaanpi

Police used tear gas on those Refugees continually on 29th and 30th January. And then it was 31st January, the violence turned into a ghoulish form. #Marichjhaanpi

On 31st January the Jyoti Basu govt started a devilish "festival" of blood. Police fired at Dalit Refugees and killed hundreds of men, women and children. Their boats were drowned. #Marichjhaanpi

Almost 240 Dalit Refugees (most of them were Namashudra) were killed between 24th January and 8th February. #Marichjhaanpi

But there were still few Refugees. Withing few months their houses were burnt down by police and party cadres. And then those remained were sent to Dandakaranya. #Marichjhaanpi

Dandakaranya, a place where those Namashudra Refugees were alien. There was nobody who knows their culture, who knows their language. What was it rather than an exile? #Marichjhaanpi

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