CBI gets two-month time to wrap up Nandigram firing investigation

The Calcutta High Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit its final report on the March 14 police firing incident in Nandigram within two months, in spite of the investigating agencys plea of granting them four months time to complete their investigation.

Kolkata, Dec 17 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit its final report on the March 14 police firing incident in Nandigram within two months, in spite of the investigating agency's plea of granting them four months time to complete their investigation.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S S Nijjar and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh issued the directive to the CBI asking it to submit the final report by February 15.

At least 14 people were killed when police fired bullets on activists of Trinamool Congress spearheaded Bhoomi Uchched Protirodh Committee (BUPC), who were protesting against the setting up of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Nandigram.

The Supreme Court has already stayed a Calcutta High Court order directing the CBI to begin criminal proceedings against police officials for the March 14 incident.

The West Bengal Government has contended that the Calcutta High Court had made a "premature conclusion" without properly evaluating the evidence on record.

The State Government had planned to set up a SEZ for chemical industries in Nandigram, but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give up their farmland for the project.

The row saw violent clashes between residents opposed to the project and the communist supporters as well as police.

ANI