The latest clash mirrors earlier violence in Nandigram that in January prompted the Central Government to suspend plans to establish scores of SEZs intended to attract overseas investors with generous tax breaks. Most of the zones, including the one that was to be set up in Nandigram, are to be built on farmland.
The latest Nandigram violence has been denounced not only by the opposition political parties in the State and the Center viz. Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but also has opened up the Bhattacharya–led Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) to scathing criticism from furious Left Front partners and the coalition United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Center.
Interestingly, some CPM leaders – among them dissident minister Subhas Chakraborty and MP Tarit Topdar – have criticized the police action, and by implication, the government. Left allies, among them CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc, have described the action as "inhuman" and have demanded an emergency meeting of the Left Front to assess the situation.
Trinamul Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and Congress state chief Pradip Bhattacharya meanwhile have asked for the Chief Minister's resignation and the sacking of the State Government. A statewide bandh (public strike) was also observed on Friday, March 16 in protest against the police atrocities.
In New Delhi, parliamentary proceedings were disrupted twice as Opposition BJP created pandemonium in both Houses – Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House) – of Parliament. "Communists are cold–blooded murderers...Communist high–handedness will not be tolerated," BJP–Shiv Sena parliamentarians were heard crying out.
"This is a state–sponsored terrorism...The Chief Minister has unleashed terror in Nandigram to grab land," said Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. "The Chief Minister has disgraced the chair he is occupying. He is a conspirator and a killer. If any government resorts to state–sponsored terrorism, it must be sacked."
Banerjee said her party would not rest till Bhattacharya has resigned. "We will force him to resign," she said.
The Trinamool will observe March 19 as "Nandigram Day," she said, requesting people to light a lamp or a candle in memory of those killed in the police action.
A protest rally would also be organized from Jorasanko, the birthplace of Rabindra Nath Tagore, to College Square on March 21, she added.
"I am appealing to the Prime Minister to visit Nandigram to see the police atrocities and talk to the injured and their families," Banerjee said.
"I am outraged by the developments in Nandigram and blame the government of the day headed by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and CPI(M) cadres. The problem is the party and its mindset. Buddhadeb, despite his best intentions, cannot get out of it," BJP leader L.K. Advani said of the Chief Minister, generally believed to be the one Left leader with whom he shares a good equation.
According to Advani, the developments in Nandigram were reminiscent of "the terror unleashed on his own people by the CPI(M)'s idol, Joseph Stalin."
Nation
Nandigram violence evokes nationwide protest, leaves WB Govt. red–faced
By: Jacob Chaterjee
Monday, 19 March 2007, 8:13 (IST)
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