Friday, August 19 2005 16:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As the nation discusses the 1984 anti-Sikh riots once again, veteran Marxist leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet has said the "so-called firebrand lady of Bengal" was among others trying to organise mayhem in the state at that time.

Reminiscing his personal experiences during the riots in which he "could well have been one of its numerous victims," the former CPI (M) General Secretary also said the then President, Zail Singh, had "pleaded utter helplessness" and even said that he himself dare not step out of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In an article published in the latest issue of CPI (M) organ 'People's Democracy', Surjeet said he had contacted then West Bengal Deputy Chief Minister Benoy Krishna Chowdhury who had issued shoot-at-sight orders and given firm instruction to police and administration to sternly deal with "whosoever was found to be trying to instigate trouble."

"This was necessary because some political bigwigs, including the so-called firebrand lady of Bengal, were trying to organise mayhem in the state," Surjeet said without naming anyone. He expressed pride that the Left Front government "protected the Sikh lives all over the state".

Recalling his personal experiences, he said he along with then CPI(M) General Secretary EMS Namboodiripad, party stalwarts M Basavapunnaiah and Samar Mukherjee had gone to pay homage to Indira Gandhi, whose body was lying in state at the Teen Murti Bhavan on November one, 1984.