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POWER FLOWS  FROM THE BARREL OF the GUN AT NANDIGRAM<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

MASUM <masumindia@gmail.com>

 The Communist Party of India (Marxist) unleashed fresh terror at Nandigram, Kolkotta from 6^th November 2007. 

The villagers of Nandigram protested and refused to part with their agricultural land which was proposed by the State government of acquiring of 19000 acres for establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the area. The people experienced severe harassment and intimidation from the 3^rd January, culminating in the loss of 14 lives due to the firing by the police.

The attacks on the area by the police was prevented by B.U.P.C. a coalition of villagers, by digging roads and making road blocks on the apprehension that the government would apply force to acquire land, like other places of the state. Under stiff protest from the villagers, the government pulled back and abandoned the plan of acquiring land for SEZ there but the impasse continued all through with sporadic violence from time to time that marred the situation of returning into normalcy and peace in Nandigram. The ruling party attempted to take control over the place where B.U.P.C. had established its roots with local people. Yet, the rule of gun and muscle power continued to grip Nandigram.

In order to win the 'Area' in Nandigram blocks, the party goons started to gain control on the areas at Nandigram Block No. II with armed attacks on 6.11.2007 with attacks from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Tekhali Bridge situated at the southern side of Nandigram Block No.I, Under the virulent attacks by the party controlled goons with sophisticated armory, Bhumi Uchhed Protirodh Committee ( B.U.P.C.) retreated from their earlier controlled areas at Nandigram Block II. As per official government version, 3 persons were killed and 14 injured in the clash. Rabin Das, Tushar Sahoo and Nirapada Ghata were human casualties with many more injured persons. Later, more deaths were reported while dead bodies were recovered. The party established its hold on the entire block of Nandigram block II on next two days with its armed forces with the calculated inaction by the police and administration. Without the presence of the law enforcement agency, the party grabbed Simulkund, Satengabari, Janbari, Maheshpur Bazar villages in the said block area.  

All these things happened, while Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mr. Budhadev Bhattacharya was asking for deployment of Central Reserve Police Force at Nandigram for restoration of law and order there. This clearly proves that the state government has failed to establish law and order there.

For last ten months a huge number of people allegedly the supporters of the ruling side had to evacuate their homes and take shelter at Khejuri, the party controlled area, in camps situated at the southern side of Nandigram in other side of Jalpati Canal dividing Nandigram and Khejuri Blocks. Local party leaders planned to attack the villages, they engaged professional killers from outside and district police force was asked to maintain silence and to keep eyes shut. In the name of returning homes of the CPI(M) supporters, the armed hooligans started gaining control of these areas by indiscriminate firing from automatic rifles, torching the houses of the supporters of BUPC, ransacking and looting, etc. And in contrast, in this war-like situation thousands villagers fled from their houses and took shelter in different camps for fear of violence, looting and harm from the ruling cadres.

On 7.11.2007, the government announced compensation for victims of police firing of Rs.Two hundred thousands each who were killed on 14 March 2007.

As the party had chalked out plan for taking over Nandigram by sheer force in connivance with police and administration, the party cadres blocked all roads to Nandigram preventing the political persons, social and NGO activists, members of non-party organizations and even the press entering Nandigram to get first hand information of the situation.

After latest fiasco, Ms. Medha Patekar, a reputed social activist along with her companions was stopped by the party cadres on 7.11.2007 and she was manhandled by the party cadres along with her associates, though one police pilot car was there, but all police personnel were seem to be mute, deaf and motionless. Even the pressmen were attacked by the party supporters in presence of police who played the role of mute spectators and allowed the party members to indulge in unruly activities.

Ms. Medha Patkar along with many others are now at stay-in-demonstration in central Kolkata. From Monday, 12.11.2007 an indefinite general strike has been called which was supported by almost all the opposition party.

The Governor of West Bengal, Mr. Gopal Krishna Gandhi made statements on 9.11.2007 over the latest incidents at Nandigram and expressed his extreme displeasure and total disproval of 'winning' areas in Nandigram by party musclemen by using gun power. He indirectly indicted the government for the present turbulent situation at Nandigram.

In the meantime, the situation in Nandigram turned grave. On 10.11.2007, the CPI (M) goons fired on a peaceful procession of B.U.P.C. killing officially 3 persons and injuring more than twenty. The unconfirmed report suggested killing of 50 persons and their bodies were carried by the killers to restrict the numbers of dead. Most shocking part of the incident was that there were rape victims as well. 

Two absconded murderers, Tapan Ghosh and Sukur Ali, both were charged by CBI for mass killing at Chhoto Angaria village on 4 ^th January 2001, were arrested at Egra by the police at last.

On 10.11.07, thousands of helpless villagers sat in front of Nandigram police station. They all wanted shelter and peace after the onslaught by party goons on peaceful procession but the police resorted to lathi charge and many people were injured due to baton beating. Those people are facing severe shortage of food and proper amenities including medical assistances, out of them mostly are women, children and elderly persons.