However, a recovery of a huge cache of arms, by the CBI, including rifles and country–made guns from a brick kiln at Khejuri village, a CPI(M) stronghold, and arrest of 10 men who are suspected to be CPI(M) activists near Nandigram on Saturday, March 17, may have the CPI(M) leaders scrambling for cover as it could give ballast to the opposition political parties that have alleged that "operation flushout" at Nandigram was carried out jointly by the police and CPI(M) cadres.
According to media reports, helmets, binoculars and CPM flags are also recovered from the brick kiln.
The investigating team also visited Sonachura, Bhangabera and Adhikaripara where police excesses were alleged.
Taking suo motu cognizance of police firing in Nandigram, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also directed the West Bengal Government to submit a report in the matter within two weeks.
Drawing attention of the State Chief Secretary and the DGP to the news reports that the West Bengal Government's decision to send a force to Nandigram led to the killings, the NHRC said, "if found true, it raises a serious issue of violation of human rights of the citizens."
The Commission also took note of the State Governor's statement that the "use of force in Nandigram could have been avoided."
Trouble in Nandigram erupted as early as January 7 after the leak of the government plan to acquire 22,000 acres of land in the area, and to build a petrochemical plant and shipyard.
The hastily formed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh (Land Acquisition Resistance Committee) organized protests that quickly degenerated into violent clashes. Other organizations like Krishijami Raksha Committee (Committee for Protecting Farmlands) soon came into existence and joined hands in the protests.
The farmers are in opposition to the government's plan as, they have claimed, that the land feeds their children, while public compensation would soon dry up. The communist party which has been in power for over 30 years has its power base in rural farming communities, in favor of whom it carried out a series of agricultural reforms. Now these same communities will not accept the government "taking over" their land. In the January protest, 6 farmers and a policeman were killed. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had then declared that the government had no intention of setting up any industry in the area without consulting people. But this time the police intervened and took vigorous action.
Nandigram is fast becoming a lightning rod for criticism of the government's economic reforms, with some evidence that it has emboldened other protesters in India.
Major industrial projects in Orissa have also been stalled by farmers unwilling to give up land. Among them is a high–profile US$ 12 billion plant by South Korean steelmaker POSCO Co. Ltd., which would be India's largest foreign investment.
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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