Fresh violence by Trinamool Congress at Nandigram

[Statement issued by the West Bengal State committee of the CPI(M)]

The Bengal unit of the CPI (M) has said in a statement released to the media by central committee member of the CPI (M) Nirupam Sen that "from 3 January the Trinamul Congress in the name of the Jami Ucchhed Pratirodh Samity ('committee to prevent eviction from land') has been engaged in looting, terrorising, and assaults in wide areas of Nandigram.

They have been found to be extracting forcefully large amounts of cash from the villagers.  Their attacks have largely been limited until 14 march to roughly four-and-a-half Gram Panchayats of the Nandigram 1 block.  The terrorist activities in the name of prevention of eviction from land continued even after the declaration by the state Left front government that no chemical hub would be set up at Nandigram.

On the other hand, after the middle of March, these elements started to extend their attacks beyond the four-and-a-half Gram Panchayats to areas like Gokulnagar, Samsabad, Satengabari, Maheshpur, Brindabanchak, and Kanungochak.  Since then, CPI (M) and Left Front workers and supporters have been rendered homeless and evicted from these locales as well.

On 25 April, the Trinamul Congress activists redoubled their vicious and violent attacks following a very provoking speech given at a meeting at Garchakraberia by the Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee.  Fresh assaults started to be organised in different areas.  On 27 April, the Left Front organised a rally at Chowringhee Bazaar area of Nandigram with the aim of restoration of peace and amity.  Armed Trinamul Congress goons attacked the rally and lobbed bombs.  They attacked the local CPI MLA Iliyas Mohammad and injured him.

On 29 April, early in the morning 50 - 60 armed Trinamul Congress workers organised assaults in villages like Gokulnagar, Samsabad, Satengabari, Brindabanchak, Bahargunj, and Jambari.  These villages are situated on the borderlines of Nandigram 1, Nandigram 2 and Khejuri blocks.  A villager Dilip Mondal who is a CPI (M) supporter was working in the field when Trinamul Congress activists attacked him, slashed open his stomach, and left him to die from sheer shock and massive bleeding.  The goons then attacked and killed another CPI (M) supporter Mohitosh Karan (36) and decamped with his body.  Those attacked and injured include Pintu Burman, Hiran Bibi, and four others.

The opposition including the Trinamul Congress and the Pradesh congress have not responded to the effort initiated by the state government to bring back peace in the area.  The continuous attack on the CPI (M) workers and supporters make it quite clear that the opposition elements aim only at carrying on unrest and violence in the locality.  They have declared their programme of road blockade and siege around police stations to create afresh lawlessness and disorder in the state in an attempt to shield their own crimes.

The state committee of the CPI (M) strongly condemns the latest instance of attack and calls upon all peace-loving people with good intent from every level to organise protests against the violent attack.  A call has been given to CPI (M) units to organise protest rallies and protest marches all over the state between 2 and 4 May.