Left out, farmer wears shoes after 14 years

BEHRAMPORE: Almost 14 years after vowing not to wear shoes in protest against police atrocity on Youth Congress activists, CPM supporter-turned-Trinamool worker Achintya Das on Thursday wore shoes to celebrate Mamata Banerjee`s victory. Das, 59, had gone to attend a Youth Congress rally at Mayo Road on July 21, 1997. Thirteen people were killed when police opened fire."I was determined that I would not wear slippers or shoes till Mamata comes to power. I did not forget my oath," he said. Lalgola Block Trinamool organized a colourful programme for this `historic incident` near party office. The party supporters celebrated the day by smearing each other with green `abir`. Youth Trinamool Congress state general secretary Subhashis Roy compared Achintya`s "iron determination" with that of Rama`s. His three sons Anup, Atanu and Arun and daughter Sonamoni were shaky at first, but their father`s determination has made them proud.