Siliguri, April 6: The CPM today organised a public meeting to discuss the twin explosions that shook the town on Friday and warned residents of “new forces that are relying on terror tactics to create a sense of insecurity among the people here”.

The meeting was held on the grounds in front of Sri Guru Vidyamandir, just 500m from the house in Champasari’s Nayabasti where improvised explosive devices blew up and killed three of the alleged bomb makers.

The main speaker was Siliguri MLA Asok Bhattacharya, who won the seat with a lead of over 74,000 votes in the 2006 Assembly elections. “These new forces do not want peace to prevail in Siliguri and are relying on terror tactics to create a sense of insecurity among the people here,” he said.

Bhattacharya added that the region had witnessed extremist activities earlier, like the ones carried out by the GNLF and the KLO. “But these new forces that are raising their heads now appear to be more dangerous.”

However, Bhattacharya said the administration, police and residents could work together to foil these attempts. “The administration and the police are sparing no effort to curb their designs. But I also appeal to the residents of Siliguri, no matter to what community or race they belong, to be aware of these dangerous activities and not encourage them in any way,” he said.

Over 4,000 people from different communities, mainly from Champasari and surrounding areas, attended the meeting. Siliguri mayor Bikash Ghosh urged everyone to attend the convention scheduled for April 10 at Kanchenjunga Stadium.

The local councillor (Ward 46), Mukul Sengupta, said the area had residents from all communities “who have been living side by side and in peace” for years.

“We all must strive to keep it that way,” Sengupta said.