Here we go now - the people are taking to the streets to support some militant. That’s what my first reaction was when I saw the veiled figure and his sympathizers. I was wrong! The guy in question is the ERF chief who has been sacked for daring to speak against the stupidity of the administration that resulted in the massacre of at least 24 of his soldiers at the hands of the Maoists.

But his troops and their families know better. And so they are demanding that he be re-instated. What sets these protests apart is that so far they have been peaceful - no burning down buses and destroying public property as has become the hallmark of any protests in West Bengal.

Way to go people! If the government has even an ounce of wisdom, they will have to listen to you.