|
It is war in Nandigram, no ‘ceasefire’ |
 |
B.I. Saini
Nandigram and surrounding villages in West Bengal are virtually in a state of war with the socalled “ceasefire” between the two warring sides - the CPI(M) cadres and the opposition group under the umbrella organisation Bhoomi Uchched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) announced on Nov. 8 failing to have any effect. Killings continued unabated in Nandigram on Saturday, Nov. 10 as CPI(M) cadres reportedly fired indiscriminately at a peace rally organised by the BUPC. The CPI(M) cadres set up roadblocks at several places with the result that mediapersons were unable to gain access and bring to light the bloodshed going on in the area. Unconfirmed reports say armed CPI(M) cadres, many of them from other areas, have taken “control” of ten more villages as part of their plan to drive away villagers aligned with the BUPC which has been fighting against land acquisition in Nandigram.
Thousands of people have deserted their villages and taken shelter in neighbouring areas. With mediapersons unable to move freely in the violence-hit Nandigram and surrounding villages, only conjectures are flying around about the number of people who died in the weekend violence. Unconfirmed reports put the death toll as high as 35 with bodies being fished out of a canal. But police have confirmed only two deaths in the clashes between CPI(M) cadres and BUPC activists. One report says that as many as 200 people have gone missing following the firing by CPI(M) cadres, who targeted even ambulances ferrying injured persons to Tamluk district hospital and another hospital in Nandigram. CPI(M) cadres reportedly attacked shops owned by BUPC supporters in a bid to frighten them so that they do not come in the way of the CPI(M) plan to establish its “control” over most areas in Nandigram.
With violence continuing in Nandigram, State Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi issued a statement on Nov. 9 evening saying that “no government or society can allow a war zone to exist without immediate and effective action.” He said, “the manner in which the recapture of Nandigram villages (by CPI(M) cadres) is being attempted is totally unlawful and unacceptable.”
The Governor’s statement has led to a controversy with the CPI(M) charging him with allegedly overstepping his constitutional parameters. At a meeting with the Prime Minister, the CPI(M) and CPI top leaders are also reported to have demanded that the Centre should take “some action” against the West Bengal Governor for his stinging statement indicting the CPI(M)-led Left Front government in the state.
Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, whose party has been spearheading the fight of the Nandigram people against land acquisition, has announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha in protest against what she called the genocide going on in Nandigram. She has urged the Centre to sack the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government in West Bengal despite its political compulsions. In a letter written to the Prime Minister, Mamata Banerjee said the constitutional machinery in West Bengal has broken down and she could not remain a mute spectator to the genocide being perpetrated.
The Congress, seeking not to annoy the CPI(M) and the other Left parties, whose support keeps the Manmohan Singh Government in power, has described the situation in Nandigram as “most unfortunate and alarming”, but ruled out any central intervention there. Playing it safe, AICC media department chairman Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi that while the situation in Nandigram is a matter of great concern, it is a state issue and law order is a state subject. Taking a legalistic stand, he said the Centre cannot take suo motu cognizance of the Nandigram affair and intervene directly in the state.
With political compulsions at the centre-stage, and the need for remaining in power being the first priority, it is unlikely that any effective action would be forthcoming from the Manmohan Singh Government to stem the rot in West Bengal, which has been ruled for decades by the CPI(M) and allied parties. State has virtually become subservient to the Left parties who are calling the shots and have established their “control” over large areas. The Nandigram land agitation had posed a challenge to their hegemony. The latest developments in Nandigram show that the CPI(M) cadres will go to any extent to rebuff the challenge posed by the Trinamul Congress and the local people to their control of the area. They cannot allow build up of any challenge to their rule in West Bengal.
|
