Turf war in Nandigram: CPI(M) presses ahead with offensive,Indian Politics, News Analysis, India News Online

The virtual war in West Bengal’s Nandigram area between CPI(M) cadres and supporters of Bhoomi Uchched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) shows no signs of slackening despite the socalled ceasefire announced by the state administration on Nov. 8 after talks with representatives of the BUPC.

In the latest upsurge of violence, suspected armed CPI(M) cadres fired indiscriminately at a peace rally organized by the BUPC at Maheshpur in Nandigram area on Saturday, Nov. 10. While the police confirmed only two deaths in the incident, unconfirmed reports say that the death toll may be as high as 35. BUPC supporters alleged that nearly 200 people are missing, many of whom may be dead.

Eyewitnesses said, thousands of BUPC supporters, who had been driven out of their homes in the past 72 hours by armed CPI(M) cadres, brought out a rally from Sonachura village around 10 a.m. on Saturday. They were demanding restoration of peace in the trouble-torn villages. When the rally reached Maheshpur, armed CPI(M) cadres allegedly fired at unarmed BUPC supporters, killing two persons on the spot and injuring 13 people. Policemen present at the spot allegedly remained silent spectators allowing the CPI(M) activists to continue with their operation for half-an-hour.

BUPC leader Sheikh Sufiyan claimed that at least 35 persons had been killed in the firing. “We have seen 14 bodies being taken to the CPI(M)’s Sherkhanchowk

office in rickshaw vans by CPI(M) cadres. The remaining bodies were later dumped elsewhere.” He further alleged that as many as 30 BUPC supporters, who had received bullet injuries, had been abducted by CPI(M) goons.

The CPI(M) men allegedly fired at ambulances ferrying injured persons to Tamluk district hospital and a hospital in Nandigram. “We were able to rescue 13 people and rushed them to Nandigram hospital. Five of them were shifted to Tamluk district hospital in a critical condition,” Sheikh Sufiyan said.

BUPC leaders alleged that nearly 200 persons have gone missing following the firing. Those who failed to escape were taken to a house near Maheshpur and Khejuri college and beaten up by CPI(M) men. CPI(M) men also allegedly attacked BUPC supporters

who took out another procession from Bhangabera. CPI(M)-hired goons fired at unarmed people from Tekhali Bridge. The attackers ransacked shops owned by BUPC supporters at Sashigunge Bazar. Here too, policemen on duty remained mute spectators. Later in the day, BUPC supporters gheraoed Nandigram police station alleging inaction. Policemen allegedly resorted to lathicharge in which a few persons, including women

were injured.

Raj Kanojia, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), said two persons, including a woman, were killed and 17 injured in the firing. Asked to comment on alleged police inaction, Kanojia said policemen had been gheraoed at Nandigram police station, which had kept them from reaching the spot.

Battle for control rages unabated

Saturday’s violence topped a week of incidents in which nearly 20 people were killed as CPI(M) cadres fought to regain control of villages which had come under the influence of the BUPC, an umbrella organisation of the Trinamul Congress, the Socialist Unity Centre of India and Maoist elements.

On Nov. 7, CPI(M) supporters are said to have taken control of several villages through the day. Earlier, only five villages in the Nandigram area were under their control, but on Nov. 7 they regained control of another 10 villages from BUPC supporters.

The matter figured at the meeting of the Left Front in Kolkata where veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu wanted Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to postpone deployment of central forces in Nandigram and renew talks with the Opposition. The state government had earlier in the week requested the Centre for additional Central Reserve Police Force battalions for deployment in violence-hit areas, especially Nandigram.

The Chief Minister, however, stuck to his view on CRPF deployment to contain what he called “the Maoist violence” in Nandigram. He is learnt to have said at the Left Front meeting that the CRPF was required to counter the Maoists who had planted at least 15 landmines in Nandigram and the state police forces were not equipped to deal with the situation.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, however, informed the allies that the central forces would not be available immediately because of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is reported to have said that he could not spare any battalion of the CRPF and that all the 191 CRPF battalions were committed at

various places. The Centre, however, on Nov. 10, cleared a 1000-strong CRPF unit for West Bengal. Operational decisions like when and where to deploy it lie with the state government.

Governor warns against syndrome of capture and re-capture Governor over-stepping constitutional limit : CPI(M)

In a statement issued on Friday, Nov. 9, West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi said that the CPI(M) has created a war zone in Nandigram by allowing its cadres to recapture villages. He called for removal of the barriers erected by CPI(M) activists

that prevented mediapersons and social activists from going to Nandigram. The statement said, “no government or society, can allow a war zone to exist without immediate and effective action.”

Excerpts from Governor’s statement are given below :

The ardour of Deepavali has been dampened in the whole State by the events in Nandigram. Several villages in Nandigram are oscillating from the deepest gloom to panic. Large numbers of armed persons from outside the district have, it is undeniable, forced themselves onto villages in Nandigram Block I and II for territorial assertion.

At the time of writing, the most accurate description for Nandigram is the one used by our Home Secretary, namely, it has become “a war zone”.

I am fully aware of the fact that, earlier in the year, many villagers in Nandigram who were perceived as sympathizers of the ruling establishment had been obliged to leave the villages and seek shelter in Khejuri.

I am also aware of the apprehension that some Maoists, their numbers being unverified, are believed to have entered the area.

Those who had to flee to Khejuri must come back with full confidence and dignity. And no quarter should be given to the cult of violence associated with Maoists. But the manner in which the “recapture” of Nandigram villages is being attempted is totally unlawful and unacceptable.

I find it equally unacceptable that while Nandigram has been ingressed with ease by armed people on the one hand, political and non-political persons trying to reach it have been violently obstructed. Some of them were bearing relief articles for the homeless.

I have been in regular communication with the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and requested the State Government to take certain immediate steps. These include (i) the immediate return of the ingressers (ii) the giving of urgent relief to the

displaced persons in Nandigram and (iii) the facilitation of their return to their homes.

I have made it clear that unless these steps are taken within hours, and the syndrome of “capture and recapture” is ended, the beginnings for a resumed dialogue through the package announced by the Chief Secretary last night will not get off the ground and the

peace talks process will remain grounded.

Let me conclude by saying: Enough is enough. Peace and security should be restored, without any delay.

Reacting to the Governor’s statement, the CPI(M) said that Gopal Krishna Gandhi was inciting violence and taking sides in Nandigram.

A statement issued by the party politburo said, “this is not the role expected from the Office of the Governor.”

For the time being, the party did not demand the Governor’s removal. CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose said, “The Governor has once again overstepped the

constitutional limit of the highest office of the state. His latest statement will not only be an impediment to the restoration of peace in Nandigram but it will also stoke further violence.”

The CPI(M) state secretariat held an “emergency meeting” on Nov. 10 to work out how to undo the damage caused by Gandhi’s criticism before the CPI(M) squads had finished the operation in Nandigram, where their Trinamul-led rivals are holding on in parts.

Observers say, the strategy, as Biman Bose’s statement revealed, was not only to attack Gandhi as an ‘agony uncle’ of the Opposition but also to hold him “partially” responsible for the violence, thus challenging his integrity as a constitutional authority and a moral voice.

“The Governor’s agony for the ardour of Deepavali being dampened could have been better appreciated if this had been expressed during Id and Durga Puja when the TMC-Maoist combine was capturing village after village...’’ Bose said.

“When our people were abducted, raped and murdered, he kept mum.... He has failed to maintain his impartiality.”

Jyoti Basu, whom Gandhi had described as “our elder statesman”, agreed. “It (the statement) is uncalled for and will only add to the problem in Nandigram. It

will adversely impact the peace process.”

Although the Governor in his statement also spoke of the eviction of CPI(M) supporters by their opponents and cautioned against Maoist presence, the party dismissed this as “lip service”.

Responding to criticism that he had not issued a statement when Nandigram’s CPI MLA was attacked by Trinamul Congress workers in April, the Governor’s Press Secretary said Gandhi had written to Sheikh Iliyas Mohammed, condemning the attack and wishing him

speedy recovery.

Left demands action against Governor

At a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and his CPI counterpart A.B. Bardhan in New Delhi on Nov. 10 to discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Nandigram violence also reportedly figured during the discussions.

The Left leaders reportedly asked for “some action” against West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi for his statement indicting the CPI(M) and the state government for the continuing violence in Nandigram. There is no indication whether the Left leaders were able to secure any assurance from the Centre in this regard. The matter may figure again at the two-day CPI(M) politburo meeting beginning in New Delhi

today, Nov. 12.

Mamata Banerjee quits in protest against Nandigram incidents

Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Nov. 10 announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha in protest against what she called the genocide at Nandigram. She called upon the Centre to sack the West Bengal Government despite their political

compulsions. Mamata Banerjee also called upon the allies of the CPI(M) in the Left Front to quit the state government in protest against the killings.

Claiming that nearly 200 persons were “massacred” in Sonachura and Maheshpur areas of Nandigram when the CPI(M) attacked two peace processions of the BUPC, a visibly agitated Mamata Banerjee said “I do not want to stay in this state. I hate this power politics and these politicians. I do not hold any official post and I would like to tender my

resignation as Member of Parliament in protest.” In her resignation letter to the Prime Minister, a copy of which was sent to the Speaker, Lok Sabha, she said: “The constitutional machinery has broken down and I cannot remain a mute spectator to the genocide.”

She claimed that the bodies of those killed were being taken away to the CPI(M) stronghold of Khejuri by Marxist cadres, while those injured were not being

allowed to be taken to hospital. She also blamed the administration for not trying to lift the blockades put up by the CPI(M) to prevent anybody from entering the area including Opposition and mediapersons.

“We are not being allowed to go into Nandigram. Neither is the press being allowed to go in. The police has been a silent spectator, not even trying to lift the blockade put up by the CPI(M) cadres.” Condemning the CPI(M) leadership for criticising and challenging

the Governor for his statement, she asked the Centre to sack the government immediately. “I know you have political compulsions but that should not be at the cost

of human beings, children and farmers,” she said.

Also sensing that the unity of the Left Front has shown signs of cracking, Mamata Banerjee called upon the Left Front allies “to topple this government by withdrawing their support”.

No Central intervention : Congress

The Congress high command has ruled out any intervention by the Central Government in West Bengal. AICC media department chairman Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi on Nov. 10 that the Nandigram situation is most unfortunate and alarming and a matter

of great concern. But it is a state issue and law and order is a state subject. He said, “The Centre cannot take suo motu cognisance of the Nandigram affair and intervene directly in the state.”

To a volley of questions about any pro-active Central role in putting an end to the continuing Nandigram violence and mayhem being perpetrated by the ruling CPI(M) cadres, Moily claimed the Centre does not come into the picture. “If the state government

wants any central assistance to tackle the situation, the Centre can consider it,” he said.

Moily made it clear that the Left Front-ruled West Bengal government will have to control the situation and prevent it from getting out of hand. He expressed confidence that a “mature” leader like West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will “act independently” to tackle the situation and ensure the rule of law. In an oblique reference to the CPI(M) cadres’ onslaught on Nandigram villages to “recapture” them through violent means, he said “the law should not be taken by anybody in their hands.”

To a question, the senior AICC leader rejected the notion of the Centre taking resort to Article 356 to clamp down on the state government which has ‘failed disastrously’ in ensuring peace and normalcy in the strife-torn Nandigram for the past many months.

Short-lived ceasefire after CPI(M) regains control of Nandigram

After weeks of violence, CPI(M) cadres regained control of most Nandigram villages on Nov. 8 barring a few stretches where Maoists have a presence. This resulted in the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government announcing a long-awaited compensation package for families of those killed in Nandigram police firing on March 14. Chief Secretary A.K. Deb announced Rs. 2 lakh each for the 14 affected families in a bid to facilitate peace talks.

The state government later claimed that a truce had been hammered out, but BUPC and the Trinamul Congress did not confirm the new agreement. Nonetheless, with the CPI(M) cadres reportedly controlling most villages, the police started entering them, which they had not been able to do for many months since the crisis over land acquisition in

Nandigram erupted.

Social activist Medha Patkar was punched on the face and some of her companions pulled by their hair when they were going to Nandigram, allegedly by CPI(M) supporters on Nov. 8. Her car was also damaged. Media reports say that policemen escorting

Medha Patkar stood silent when CPI(M) supporters allegedly assaulted her. In protest, Patkar staged a dharna at Kapasdia where the incident had taken place.

At the start of the week, at least 10 people were killed when armed CPI(M) supporters from Khejuri moved in to regain control over eight villages in Nandigram on Monday, Nov. 5. They chased away BUPC members who had wrested the villages from their control months ago. As both groups exchanged fire, there was a series of blasts allegedly triggered by Maoists at three places. The CPI(M) alleged that the landmine blasts point to the involvement of Maoist elements. During the early part of last week, police allegedly removed their pickets at strategic locations as armed CPI(M) cadres stormed into several villages leaving a trail of destruction.

Left Front divided over latest flare up

The meeting of the Left Front on Nov. 7 saw differences coming to the fore on the handling of the Nandigram situation. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee drew flak not only from CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc leaders, but also from the veteran CPI(M)

leader Jyoti Basu for failing to control the violence.

On Nov. 6, PWD Minister Kshiti Goswamy accused the CPI(M) of launching a planned attack on Nandigram with armed supporters.

He said : “The Union Home Ministry has said it would be difficult to send the CRPF immediately because of polls in other states. So the CPI(M) has assembled its armed supporters to mount the attack in a planned manner with the backing of the Eastern

Frontier Rifles.” He suspected that the CPI(M) was “in a hurry” to crush the Opposition’s control of Nandigram as it would like the panchayat polls - due in May - to be brought forward.

The Home Secretary on Nov. 6 said CPI(M) supporters in Khejuri started the fight the previous night. The Forward Bloc and CPI said they had heard what the government had to say and harped on the need for a political dialogue.

Trinamul Congress to “cripple” West Bengal today

Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has threatened to “indefinitely cripple” West Bengal from today, Nov. 12. The Congress and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) have separately called for twenty-four hour statewide bandh today, while the BJP

announced a 48-hour bandh on Monday and Tuesday.

Mamata Banerjee did not explain what she meant by ‘crippling’ the state, but Trinamul Congress general secretary Madan Mitra said that it signified an indefinite bandh.

The Trinamul chief had avoided the B-word also while calling for the state to be brought to a “standstill” on October 31. The Supreme Court, however, has clarified that any attempt to force a shutdown - by whatever label - is illegal. Asked what “indefinite”

meant, senior Trinamul leaders said Mamata might have a “rethink” if the state witnessed a “total” shutdown on Monday and Tuesday.

Social activist Medha Patkar began a two-day fast in Kolkata on Nov. 10 against the Nandigram incidents.

Film personalities Aprana Sen, Rituparno Ghosh and writer Mahasweta Devi joined her, calling for a boycott of the Kolkata Film Festival and other programmes of the state government.

PM concerned at Nandigram violence

In response to earlier incidents of violence in Nandigram last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the them and asked Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to look into the developments there. In response to a letter sent to him

on October 28 by Saifuddin Chaudhury, president of the Party for Democratic Socialism - a constituent of the Trinamul Congress-led Krishi Jami, Jiban, jibika, Raksha (Protection of Land, Lives and Livelihood) Committee, drawing his attention to the violence, Dr.

Singh said : “I am concerned about the developments there and have spoken to the Union Home Minister to look into these urgently.”

Ugly face of Left Front exposed : BJP

The BJP has said that the Nandigram incidents have conclusively exposed what it called “the true and ugly face” of the Left Front government and party cadres in West Bengal. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said in New Delhi that the events in Nandigram

had confirmed the widely held view of the general public that the democratic and administrative process in West Bengal had been overwhelmingly subverted

by the lower level functionaries of the Left parties. He said these party functionaries have now become the final authority in deciding even administrative actions.

“It was indeed unfortunate that the views of the Home Secretary of the State were being challenged by lower level party functionaries of the CPI(M) and other parties. The perpetration of violence by party cadres and the total breakdown of administrative and efficacy marks the nadir of the administrative and democratic functioning and freedom,” the BJP alleged.

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