Wednesday, January 16

Is Nandigram a Political Volcano

The findings of the inquiry should be promptly made public. International rights group Amnesty International hard hitting report has accused the West Bengal government of - colluding with CPM party workers, ineffective police in maintaining law and order, allowing organised groups of armed supporters of the CPM to step in and violently crush the protests in Nandigram and failing to institute an impartial inquiry into the violence.
The barbaric act were carried out by armed supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist in october and november 2007. Nandigram has experienced violence as CPI-M supporters and farmers belonging to the Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee (Anti-displacement front, BUPC) clashed with each other in attempting to gain control over parts of land area. The BUPC had been formed to protest against forced eviction and displacement of local inhabitants, mostly farmers, as a result of the project falling under (SEZ).It consisted of activists owing allegiance to several political parties including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress(I) and former supporters of the CPI-M.
This was a result of notice declared on 28 December 2006 to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Nandigram under the Government of India’s Petro-Chemical Petroleum Investment Region(PCPIR).The project required at least 4,000 hectares of land for the proposed SEZ, which was to be jointly developed by the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation and the Indonesia-based Salim group of companies. The land is owned by local farmers.

Did violence in Nandigram take place against the backdrop of inaction by the state and “tacit acceptance” of the violent operations of the armed supporters of the CPM?
Was there a close involvement of district officials, the state government, the state machinery and the Communist party workers to dictate and determine the course of events?
Who were involved in the violence have not been booked or arrested. CPM supporters raped, harassed and beat up women. Why people named in the FIR not arrested?It also noted that there has been no departmental or disciplinary action against any administrative or police official in spite of loss of life and property in the area. Why?
Was the general impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators a key factor for this barbaric action?
The report says the authorities knew that party workers were collecting arms in Nandigram before November clashes, but did nothing to prevent the violence. Why?
The CBI has registered seven cases related to the Nandigram firing and ensuing violence. Is this enough?
When will the political patronage to the perpetrators end ?
Why are the accused the police officials, CPM activists and the administration?
Who allowed CPM workers to dress as policemen who fired at protesters?
Who is threatening the witnesses?
Why shouldn't the authenticity of the medical reports be questioned?
Who will give answers besides the state government?
Who divided the CPM and the landowners?
Why is the movement lasting for so long?
Did the movement turned into a religious and caste war instead of the war for land-to live?
When will the Rapist, police officers that misused their post & position that of govt officials, who violated human rights will be caught?
Till when will be the citizen of Nandigram treated as the second grade citizen of the country?
When will be the democratic rights of the protesters will be granted?
Till date the position is not peaceful and lively, but silent due to fear?
When will the citizens have confidence in the state administration?
Is Nandigram a political- made -volcano?
The matter is pending at the Supreme Court.
But the most important question which needs to be answered is it not the responsibility of the state to safeguard the rights of his citizens whether in West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Assam ,Orissa or Madhya Pradesh? Every citizen has the right to live, speak and protest.
It’s really sad where we talk about reaching the moon by 2020 and at the same time we have to fight for our rights without freedom.

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