Nandigram flares up, two killed

Special Correspondent
The Hindu, 30 April

Clashes between Trinamool and CPI(M) activists; houses set afire

KOLKATA: One person was killed and a few others injured in clashes between activists of the Trinamool Congress-led Bhoomi Ucched Pratirodh Committee and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Nandigram in West Bengal on Sunday. Houses were attacked and some set on fire.

Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojiatold The Hindu that the death toll may rise to two.

Though there were reports of sporadic disturbances in Nandigram over the last few days, this was the first major bout of violence after the police firing on March 14 in which 14 persons were killed.

The police found it difficult to reach the affected villages on timeas large parts of the area continued to remain inaccessiblewith roads dug up and culverts and bridges damaged. Moves initiated by local authorities to restore normality with the support of political parties fell flat as the Opposition refused to attend the all-party meetings convened.

There were conflicting reports on what led to Sunday's violence though the issue of acquisition of farmland for industry could no longer be the cause given the State Government's decision to call off the proposal to set up a chemical hub in Nandigram.

Rivalry

The rivalry between the Committee and the CPI(M) is now over political control of Nandigram, from where about 2,500 workers of the Left party were driven out along with their families over the last three months by the Committee's supporters.

While local CPI(M) leaders said the violence was started by Trinamool activists, who were trying to force their way into new areas and drive out those opposing them, the Opposition blamed it on the CPI(M) whose "armed cadres were bent on terrorising the people of the area with the connivance of the police."


Trinamool Congress for Manmohan, Governor's intervention

Special Correspondent
The Hindu

KOLKATA: The Prime Minister's Office and the West Bengal Governor have been informed of the violence in Nandigram on Sunday and their immediate intervention was sought to restore peace, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee said here.

"The Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres, armed with rifles and accompanied by goondas, were responsible for attacks on innocent villagers, many of whom are missing," she said.

The attacks were "a joint venture of the CPI (M) and the State Government," she alleged.

Recalling that she warned two days ago on the possibility of violence breaking out in the area in the face of continuing trouble there, Ms. Banerjee announced "a gherao of all thanas in the State on May 2 in protest against the assault on the right to life of the people of Nandigram." It would begin with an hour-long "rasta roko" across the State on Monday.

On Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's recent appeal to the Opposition to attend an all-party meeting to facilitate the restoration of normality at Nandigram, she asked: "Why should we attend a meeting organised by the State Government which itself is sponsoring violence there."

State Congress working president Pradip Bhattacharjee said "the State Government, which had failed to draw lessons from the March 14 incident, was responsible for the violence" as the administration had failed to restore normality in the area. Under such circumstances, the all-party meetings would not yield fruit.

"The right situation has first to be created for such discussions to be held and it is for the administration to ensure that."

Statesman News Service

NANDIGRAM, April 29: At least two persons were killed and several others injured as CPI-M cadres and supporters of the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee were locked in an armed battle today to regain lost ground.

In a statement, Governor Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi said he had discussed the development with the chief minister. “I am keeping a close watch on the situation.” said Mr Gandhi.

The trouble started, according to villagers here, early in the morning when about 200 CPI-M activists began to fire bullets and throw bombs from the Khejuri side of Talpati canal at Satangabari, Bahargunge area in Nandigram block-II and at Simulkhanda in Nandigram block- I. The villagers under attack fled their homes fearing “lethal” assault by CPI-M cadres.

Supporters of the BUPC regrouped around 10-30 a.m to confront CPI-M cadres who had already advanced into the villages at Nandigram. The battle continued for over four hours after which CPI-M cadres retreated.

The CPI-M claimed two of their supporters succumbed to bullet injuries. They were identified as Dilip Mondal (19), a resident of Gokulnagar, and Mahitosh Karan (42), a resident of Jambari. Two other injured CPI-M supporters, Pintu Mondal and Nitai Mondal, have been admitted to Kamarda block hospital in Khejuri. On the other hand, BUPC leaders claimed that four villagers belonging to their organisation sustained bullet injuries and were admitted to Nandigram block hospital. One of them, Prakash Das, was later shifted to Tamluk Sadar hospital in a critical condition.