Nandigram deadlock likely to end
NDTV Correspondent
Thursday, November 8, 2007 (Kolkata)
A truce was reached on Thursday between CPI-M and anti-land acquisition activists at strife-torn Nandigram even as the West Bengal government announced compensation for those who died in the March 14 police firing and violence.
Chief Secretary A K Deb said Rs two lakh would be paid to the families of each of the 14 killed.
No decision has, however, been taken about those injured in the incidents, he said.
Supporters of the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee agreed to refrain from violence and lay down arms after a meeting with CPI-M leaders.
Deb said both the groups reached an agreement that the administration would take action against anyone who used arms.
Deb, quoting a BUPC source, said the committee had no link with Maoists and anyone suspected of having ties with Naxalites would face action.
He also said that the BUPC's demand for withdrawal of cases lodged against those involved in the March 14 violence had been rejected.
''The government will take action if any case of indulging in violence on March 14 is proved on inquiry,'' he said.
Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee had earlier said that compensation would be paid to the families of the victims of the police firing.
Earlier on Thursday, Social activist Medha Patkar was assaulted allegedly by CPI(M) activists at Kapaseberia in East Midnapore district while on her way to Nandigram.
''There were CPI(M) men carrying red flags who blocked my car and some other vehicles which were going along with mine to Nandigram. I was hit on the face and they tried to pull my hair and was about to drag me out of the car,'' Patkar said over the phone from the spot.
Patkar said she and her associates squatted on the road in protest against the attack.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), West Bengal, Raj Kanojia said in Kolkata that one of the vehicles in Patkar's convoy was damaged.
Candlelight vigil
A candlelight vigil began at 6 pm on Wednesday and will continue for the next 100 hours, demanding the restoration of peace in the troubled war zone.
The venue for the vigil is not far from where the vigil was held for Rizwanur, outside St Xavier's College.
The 100-hour vigil has been started by the same group of people who went on a vigil for Rizwanur. It worked last time and are hoping the initiative will work again.
''The message is again that we need peace in Nandigram. No political statement, no political message, no political demand but very simple peace in Nandigram. It is a very big irony that India should be at peace but Nandigram should be at war,'' said Mudar Patharya, Investment analyst.
Initial response last evening was a mere trickle. But as word about the vigil gets around, organisers are sure more Kolkatans will join in the stand for peace.
People of Kolkata do not want to just sit back at home and see what is happening on TV screens. They want that, whosoever does the administration, at least bring peace and look after the people in the village.
The first and last time a candlelight vigil was held in Kolkata was in the Rizwanur Rehman case where the public demanded a CBI inquiry into his death. They got what they wanted.
This time it is a call for peace in Nandigram, a message they hope politicians and administrators in the state will hear.(With PTI inputs)
Thursday, November 8, 2007 (Kolkata)
A truce was reached on Thursday between CPI-M and anti-land acquisition activists at strife-torn Nandigram even as the West Bengal government announced compensation for those who died in the March 14 police firing and violence.
Chief Secretary A K Deb said Rs two lakh would be paid to the families of each of the 14 killed.
No decision has, however, been taken about those injured in the incidents, he said.
Supporters of the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee agreed to refrain from violence and lay down arms after a meeting with CPI-M leaders.
Deb said both the groups reached an agreement that the administration would take action against anyone who used arms.
Deb, quoting a BUPC source, said the committee had no link with Maoists and anyone suspected of having ties with Naxalites would face action.He also said that the BUPC's demand for withdrawal of cases lodged against those involved in the March 14 violence had been rejected.
''The government will take action if any case of indulging in violence on March 14 is proved on inquiry,'' he said.
Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee had earlier said that compensation would be paid to the families of the victims of the police firing.
Earlier on Thursday, Social activist Medha Patkar was assaulted allegedly by CPI(M) activists at Kapaseberia in East Midnapore district while on her way to Nandigram.
''There were CPI(M) men carrying red flags who blocked my car and some other vehicles which were going along with mine to Nandigram. I was hit on the face and they tried to pull my hair and was about to drag me out of the car,'' Patkar said over the phone from the spot.
Patkar said she and her associates squatted on the road in protest against the attack.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), West Bengal, Raj Kanojia said in Kolkata that one of the vehicles in Patkar's convoy was damaged.
Candlelight vigilA candlelight vigil began at 6 pm on Wednesday and will continue for the next 100 hours, demanding the restoration of peace in the troubled war zone.
The venue for the vigil is not far from where the vigil was held for Rizwanur, outside St Xavier's College.
The 100-hour vigil has been started by the same group of people who went on a vigil for Rizwanur. It worked last time and are hoping the initiative will work again.
''The message is again that we need peace in Nandigram. No political statement, no political message, no political demand but very simple peace in Nandigram. It is a very big irony that India should be at peace but Nandigram should be at war,'' said Mudar Patharya, Investment analyst.
Initial response last evening was a mere trickle. But as word about the vigil gets around, organisers are sure more Kolkatans will join in the stand for peace.
People of Kolkata do not want to just sit back at home and see what is happening on TV screens. They want that, whosoever does the administration, at least bring peace and look after the people in the village.
The first and last time a candlelight vigil was held in Kolkata was in the Rizwanur Rehman case where the public demanded a CBI inquiry into his death. They got what they wanted.
This time it is a call for peace in Nandigram, a message they hope politicians and administrators in the state will hear.(With PTI inputs)
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