Another Sikh from Kolkata, Surjit Singh Walia, recalled those days when he narrowly escaped a mob attack. “I temporarily migrated to Punjab out of fear. But Basu’s determination brought me back. We always felt safe during his rule,” he said. The curfew and the patrolling by CPI (M) cadres prevented any major devastation except for a few incidents of stone throwing and vandalism. Ten deaths were reported in the State.