New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded the immediate release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, calling the extension of their judicial custody in the Jantar Mantar trespassing case ‘state-sponsored terrorism’. In a post on X, Banerjee alleged that the authorities were targeting young people and using their detention to undermine democracy.“I can understand the desperate motive to extend the custody of Ashutosh and Saurav. This is a dangerous virus being used on a daily basis to attack democracy. Stop torturing the boys and girls of Gen Z. Those in power today, will not be in power tomorrow. From Kolkata to Delhi to Mumbai - throughout the country, atrocities have reached unprecedented levels. When our forefathers stood up to colonial rulers, they too had to face atrocities and yet they fought with conviction and valor. Let me say it clearly: this is state-sponsored terrorism. These are police-sponsored atrocities. These cannot sustain for long.”“When people with conviction keep standing up strongly for the cause, to Save India, to Save Democracy- only then will these arrogant and blindfolded politicians in government open their eyes. By that time the people would have won, and the murderers of democracy will be finished. If you believe in democracy, release Ashutosh and Saurav immediately.”

Banerjee’s remarks came after the judicial custody of the two CJP leaders was extended by two days by the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case.Das and Ranka were produced before the SEM at Mandir Marg police station after their five-day judicial custody ended on Monday.Delhi Police had sought an extension of their judicial custody, while CJP’s legal affairs head, Ratna Singh, questioned the need for further detention, alleging that the prosecution had failed to present arguments on the law.“We are still at SEM court, waiting for the court to dictate order. There is no reason to extend judicial custody. Today also, no argument was presented by PP (Public Prosecutor) on law. All his arguments were mere assumptions. Absolute waste of time of SEM court,” Singh said in a post on X.Calling the proceedings a “waste of time”, she demanded the release of the two leaders.The two CJP leaders were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14 after they were detained for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as the designated protest site.

/IANS