Violence haunts Nandigram victims at relief camps

Violence continues to haunt the victims of Nandigram, with the miscreants attacking them even in relief camps.

Tekhali (WB), May 4 : Violence continues to haunt the victims of Nandigram, with the miscreants attacking them even in relief camps.

Several hundred residents of Nandigram villages have shifted to relief camps in neighbouring districts in the wake of violent clashes between the groups supporting and opposing land acquisition in Nandigram for industrialisation.

"Entire camps were set on fire. Even ladies were attacked. Our belongings, cattle, clothes, utensils, rations are being looted. We haven't been left with even a change of clothes," recounted Purnima Das, living in a relief camp in Tekhali.

Though the miscreants could not be identified, the CPI (M) activists and Trinamool Congress blamed each other for the incidents.

Nandigram villagers have been opposing acquisition of their farmlands to set up an industrial hub by Indonesia's Saleem Group.

There have been frequent clashes between the CPI (M) activists and the Trinamool Congress, ever since 14 farmers protesting land acquisition were killed in police firing on March 14.

In the latest bout of violence, two persons were killed on April 29 and several injured.

On Thursday, several opposition parties met West Bengal Governor GK Gandhi and voiced their concern over continued violence in Nandigram.

"Around 19 constituents were there, and we did not give any memorandum or any sort of delegation. We just gave a big poster- 'We Want Peace, Not Bloodshed'," said Madan Mitra, senior Trinamool leader.

Trinamool Congress has repeatedly refused to attend an all-party meeting called by the State Government on the issue.

Meanwhile, Kolkata High Court said the incidents in Nandigram appeared to be a case of violation of fundamental rights of the villagers.

"Prima facie, the court has come to the conclusion that there is a violation of Article 21 in respect to the people of Nandigram," said Kalyan Mukherjee, lawyer and petitioner against the Government in the case.

The court also directed the Government to provide required aid to those displaced from Nandigram.

"The court has directed the State Government to resume ferry service between Nandigram and Haldia. The State Government has been directed to distribute ration commodities to the affected people of Nandigram. It has also been directed to provide medical aid. Two weeks' time has been given to the Government to file the affidavit, thereafter the matter would be taken up," said Mukherjee.

The State Government has already shelved the project in the face of violence and opposition to it.

ANI