What's happening in Nandigram area for last one year
Chronology of Nandigram Events
August 2005
Port Trust had proposed to the District Magistrate, Midnapur (East) that dredging of the river would be required to expand the
September 2005
The “Krishi Jami Raksha Committee” was formally formed.
August 2006
Mr Sabyasachi Sen, the Secretary of Commerce and Industries, Government of West Bengal, Mr Lakshman Seth, M.P. from Tamluk along woith other Government officials took Mr Beni Santosa of Salim Group of Indonesia to Nadigram through the river Haldi by steamer purport to identify the site for a Chemical Hub by the Salim group and a Ship Building Workshop by the Pawan Ruia Group.
September 2006
The CEO, Haldia Development Authority sent a site plan along with the list of mouzas and other proposals for the proposed Special Economic Zone for necessary action.
October 2006
It was made known to the people that there is a proposal of a “Chemical Hub” in the said area for which approximately 19 thousand acres of land will be required.
December 5 2006
A large gathering was organized at
December 12 2006
A few thousand of women took out a huge procession from GARCHAKRABERIA to KALICHARANPUR in support of their oath.
December 23 2006
The CPI(M) organized a procession in support of “industrialization” from RAJARAMCHAK to SONACHURA.
December 27 2006
The M.P. of Tamluk, Mr Lakshman Seth, in a meeting organized at Nandigram Market, declared that the land for the proposed Chemical Hub will be acquired and the notice for the said acquisition will be served within January 3, 2007.
December 29 2006
A notice, purported to be issued by the “Haldia Development Board” for acquisition of land of 27 mouzas of Nandigram and 1 mouza of Khejuri. The Block Development Officer of Nandigram was instructed to paste such notices in every gram panchayets of the concerned mouzas.
January 2 2007
The “Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee” (BUPC) was formed.
January 3 2007
A huge demonstration against the district administration had begun. A police vehicle (a jeep) while trying to escape collided with a lamp-post and caught fire. Another Police jeep had caught fire; it was alleged that an irate mob had deliberately set the jeep to fire. People started digging the roads to bar the entry of Police vehicles into the villages.
January 4 2007
People started agitation and created obstruction on the roads. They also dug up a number of roads so as to prevent could not enter into the villages with large contingent using vehicles. Mr Sadhu Charan Chatterjee, a police personnel was killed on the day.
January 5 2007
It was reported that the CPI(M) had started a “camp” at the “frontiers of” Khejuri and Nandigram..( In the areas of Bhangabera near Sonachura and Sherkhanchak and Tehatta Bazar near Gokulnagar).
January 6 2007
BUPC along with a large number of local people of Nandigram area went to the police station and protested against the illegal activities of the alleged “cadres” of the CPI(M) of the “camp”. Exchange of bombs started from the mid night.
January 7 2007
Exchange of fire took place at dawn. Three persons, Bharat Mandal, Sk Selim and Biswajit Maity died of firing. The mob which was gathered in the scene retreated temporarily but came back and proceeded towards Khejuri. It was alleged that the mob had attacked the house of Mr Sankar Samanta, the Local Panchayet leader and he was “killed (burnt alive)”. Also three persons were severely injured, namely
January 8 2007
Farida Bibi, the sister of deceased Sk Selim lodged a complain to the O.C., Nandigram Police Station. One “All Party Meeting” was convened by the D.M., Purba Medinipur and all the registered political parties attended the said meeting. A decision was taken to bring peace and tranquility in the area. It was also decided that no “political camp” was “desirable within 5 km distance from the area”.
January 9 2007
A huge contingent of police “tried” to entered from the Tengua side to Dinabandhupur crossing, but the villagers dug up the road the day before so as to prevent large-scale movement of the police force. The villagers tried to resist the police attack and the police in “retaliation” fired a volley of eight blank rounds. In the said incident, FOUR police officers were allegedly injured and also it was reported that FOUR villagers were also injured. The local CPI(M) Party Office of Dinabandhupur was attacked, alleged by the mob. The Irrigation Bunaglow was “forcibly occupied” by the police to set up a police camp which had to be “winded up” because of the pressure of the villagers. In a routine Press briefing ( Vide The Statesman and The Telegraph, January 10, 2007, Book Number ONE) the Chief Minister, West Bengal conceded that “ THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED A BLUNDER BY ISSUING A NOTICE ON LAND ACQUISITION IN NADIGRAM” and ordered that “THE PAPER BE TORN TO PIECES”. The Chief Minister also said that “I HAVE ASKED THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE TO TEAR THE [ACQUISITION] NOTICE TO PIECES AND TO KEEP QUITE FOR SOME TIME. I AM STARTING A POLITICAL PROCESS TO DIFFUSE THE POLITICAL TENTION AND THERE WILL BE NO LAND ACQUITION UNTIL DETAILS ARE WORKED OUT AND LAND MAP PREPARED AFTER TAKING EVERYBODY INTO CONFIDENCE. WE HAD NO PREPARATION AND TOTAL CONFUSION PREVAILED AMONG THE VILLAGERS OVER THE NOTICE”.
January 10 2007
Mr Sabyasachi Sen, Secretary, Commerce and Industries, Government of West Bengal, Told The Statesman that “ there was a stiff competition for the Project of Chemical Hub. Not just other states we also had to compete as a country with players such as
Social Activist, Ms Medha Patkar was not allowed to go to Nandigram on the same day and was detained by the police. It may be mentioned that there was neither a prohibitory order towards going to Nandigram, nor was an arrest warrant given to her.
January 11 2007
It was reported in the Press that the Chief Minister,
In the same day, the State Government wanted to acquire land through a devious route bypassing the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 to escape “Singur-like resistance”. The Land and the Land Reform Minister, Mr Abdul Razzak Molla had reportedly been given verbal assurance by the Industries Department that the WBIIDC act won’t be resorted to. Yet the KEEPING THE MINISTER IN THE DARK, the Haldia Development Authority was given the go-ahead so that it could issue a notice as a prelude to Land Acquisition as per the less transparent Act which empowers the CEO of the Haldia Development Authority to do so. The Minister said that “ THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT 1894 IS FAR MORE TRANSPARENT THAN THE WBIIDC ACT. THE 1894 ACT ALLOWS LAND OWNERS TO REGISTER THEIR OBJECTION WHICH HAS TO BE HEARD BEFORE DECLARING AWARD. MOREOVER, IT HAS ALSO THE PROVISION THAT LAND CANNOT BE ACQUIRED BEFORE THE DECLARATION OF THE AWARD”.
January 12 2007
The Chief Minister, West Bengal in a Press Statement reported that the questions have been raised regarding the house hold properties,
On the same day, Mr Anup Agarwal, the D.M., Purba Medinipur reported the latest situation of Nandigram to the Chief Secretay, Government of West Bengal. In connection with that, the Home Secretary, Mr Prasad Ranjan Ray said that “ Terror is still prevailing in the area. However, the situation is normal today. The police movement is going on. Four Police Camps have been established.”
The Chief Minister also said, “ THE POLICE CAMPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SET UP IN NANDIGRAM. .. WHEN THE SITUATION BECOMES PEACEFUL, THE PEOPLE OF THE LOCALITY WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THE CHEMICAL HUB. AFTER A STIFF COMPETION EIGHT STATES, WE GOT THE PROJECT. WORK HAS ALREADY PROCEEDED. SALIM GROUP WILL DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED THAT INDIAN OIL CORPORATION (IOC) WILL BE THE ANCOR INVESTOR. IT ALSO BEEN AGREED. NOW WE WANT THE COOPERATION OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE. THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE NOW COOPERATING, BUT IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME. “ It has also been reported ( by a large section of international press) that an American Company was interested to invest in the ancilliary industries in Haldia.
January 13 2007
It was alleged that a group of “miscreants” open fire from the bunker of a lunch.
On the same day, Mr Biman Basu, Left Front Chairman, and also a very senior CPI(M) leader, said before the Press that Medha Patkar operated from thr four storied PUCCA HOUSE of one Mr Manas Khatua; but it was later observed that there was no four storied building in the Gangra area of Sonachura. Ms Medha Patkar sued Mr Biman Basu and Mr Biman Basu tendered unconditional apology to Ms Patkar.
The Home Secretary, Mr Prasad Ranjan Ray, told the reporters in the Writers’ Buildings that the “Police force WILL ENTER NANDIGRAM. BUT THE POLICE WAS ALSO INSTRUCTED NOT TO VIOLAYTE PEACE THERE [IN NANDIGRAM].”
The sources from the State Administration informed that the police operation will continue from March 19 to March 21, 2007 in Nandigram.
It was also known from the Administrative sources that around FOUR thousand Police personnel from the district of Purulia, Bankura,
Respective Block Development Officer ( Nandigram Block I) sent letters to the Authrity of the
It was learnt that the Purba Medinipur District Police had requisitioned TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND BULLETS, FORTY TREKKERS, TWENTY FIVE BUSES AND TEN AMBULANCES to pick up the injured.
They also sent a RED ALERT to Tamluk police
January 14 2007
The State Secretary, Mr Manju kumar Majumder of The Communist Party of India, one of partners of the ruling Left Front Government of the State, narrated his experiences after his visit to Nandigram. He stated, “ PEOPLE ARE HIGHLY RESENDED. ON THE QUESTION OF LAND, THEY STAND UNITED”.
The spokesperson of the State Secretariat of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), ALSO a left Front partner, direct indicted the CPI(M) and directly hold CPI(M) as responsible for the incident.
Mr Prasanta Pradhan, a member of the Purba Medinipur District Committee of CPI(M) said that there will be no campaign in Nandigram, unless the “displaced persons” return to their “home”.
It is reported in the Press that a meeting between the CPI(M) State secretary and the Chairman of the ruling Left Front and the members of the District Committee members of Purba Medinipur, Mr Lashman Seth was held responsible by the State leadership for the incident of Nandigram.
January 16 2007
The state administration could not provide the actual number of dead and the injured persons in the said incident even after NINE days. Conflicting reports were released by different political parties such as:
CPI(M) stated: 4 persons were dead, 6 persons injured.
SUCI stated : 7 persons were dead, 16 injured
TMC stated : 4 persons were dead, 3 injured.
January 16 to 26 2007
Several complaints were lodged, either singly or jointly by various citizens of the locality against the “miscreants” of the said “camp” to S.P., Purba Medinipur, but no steps were taken by the police authorities on the basis of such complaints. It was alleged in those complaints that the “miscreants” belong to “Communist Party of India (Marxist)”. (Vide the copies of all these FIRs in the Book THREE).
January 17 2007
The Houna’ble High Court of Calcutta passed and order that Ms Patkar cannot be detained or her free movement cannot be restricted. (Vide the PIL in Book TWO).
On the same day, One Mr Arup Das, reported to a Trinamul Congress activist was purported to be murdered alleged by the CPI(M) goons. However, Mr Asoke Guria denied any involvement of the Party in connection with this murder.
January 23 2007
It was reported that the list of houses to be targeted by the goons were living in the brick kiln. It was also reported a list of persons who did not vote in favour of the CPI(M) in the last election was prepared along with a second list containing the names of the persons whose houses are to be demolished. ( vide Book ONE).
On the same day, TMC organized a protest meeting in front of the Haldia police station against Mr Lakshman Seth, the sitting M.P.
January 24 2007
It was revealed from the Press report that Mr Asoke Guria, a very prominent Peasant leader from Medinipur reported to have said that the last word in this regard will be told by the Party and not by the persons sitting in the Writers’ Buildings. He also mentioned that the process of Industrialisation will not be implemented by coercion. It will only be implemented through discussions.
January 26 2007
a group of Intellectuals, known to be close to CPI(M) and belonging to the public spirited-organisation, THE CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE ON NANDIGRAM, notable among them are Prof Sumit Sarkar and Prof Tanika Sarkar of Jahawarlal Nehru University, New Delhi,, Ms Krishna Majumder, a representative of National Federation of Women and the noted journalist, Mr Sumit Chakraborty, Editor, Mainstream, afeter a visit to both Nandigram and Singur said that there was no discussion between the Government and the people and the peasants who land are to be acquired were kept in dark. ( vide report of the said Committee in Book TWO).
January 30 2007
Mr Moinul Hoqq, a prominent youth leader of the CPI(M) party ( of no. 7 Jalpai area) stated that had provoked the unarmed and peaceful demonstrators of the area by opening fire to them.
January 31 2007
The local ferry route connecting Satkhand and Kachuberia was suspended causing an economic blockade and hindering the free movement of the people of the area.
On the same day, a five-member bench, comprising of Ex Justice Mr P D Mule, Mr V S Dave, Mr. J C Verma, Mr P C Jain and Mr Malay Sengupta in a public hearing, organized by 26 peoples’ organization heard about the indentnts of singur and Nandigram. The honour’ble bench recommend that a) No land could be acquired from the peasants in Singur without their consent b) that human Rights have been violated in the incident of firing in Nandigram c) that the State Government must initiate mitigative steps to normalize the situation. ( Vide their report in Book TWO).
February 7 2007
The sahebnagar Mouza of the Khejuri side witness a mass unrest against the proposed land acquisition for the purported Chemical Hub.
On the same day, the Home secretary Mr Prasad Ray informed,” TILL NOW THE POLICE WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO ENTER THE VILLAGES AT NANDIGRAM, BUT IN VIEW OF THE PREVAILING SITUATION, WE HAVE TO THINK OF TAKING DIFFERENT MEASURES.”
February 12 2007
The Chief Minister,
February 13 2007
Mr Lakshman Seth, M.P., Tamluk Parliamentary Constituency, who happens to be the Chairman of the Haldia Development Authority (responsible for issuing the notice for “acquisition” of land in the said area), held a Press Conference at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) District Party Office, Purba Medinipur at Tamluk and stated in the said conference that land as mentioned in the “notice” issued by the Haldia Development Authority “would be acquired”.
February 17 2007
The ferry service between Nandigram and Haldia was suspended for some time. The Madhyamik examination which was slated to commence on February 20, 2007 was badly affected as a large number of examinees ( numbering about 16000) from and around Mahammadpur, Kendemari, Hossain pur, Sonachura, Kalicharanpur, Purusattampur and several other adjoining villages were hard put to in reaching Haldia to attend the examination.
People who used to go to Metiabruz for tailoring work as daily labourer also could not attend their duties thereby losing their livilihood.
However, Mr Biman Bose and the Chief Minister earlier held that the commuters were responsible for the “troubles” in Nandigram. Mr Bose said in Kolkata on February 8, 2007 that the ferry services between Nandigram and Haldia would be stopped unless BUPC restores normalcy in the area.
It was alleged that the CPI(M) got Mr Lakshman Seth and his wife, Ms Tamalika Seth-Ponda, the Chairperson, Haldia Municipality to impose an economic blockade on Nandigram by suspending the ferry services to Haldia where on an average 10,000 local persons fetch up daily to sell fish, vegetables and milk products.
February 19 2007
The D.M., Purba Medinipur, convened a meeting of all political parties and it was decided in the said meeting that restoration of peace is required, particularly during the Madhyamik Examination.
February 25 2007
The state Government’s response to the Empowered Group of Ministers’ Meeting at
The Principal Secretary of the State’s Industries Department, Mr Sabyasachi Sen said that the Mega Chemical Hub originally planned to be set up on nearly 22,500 acres of land, the bulk of which was to be acquired a Nandigram, may be scaled down and set up at Haldia, which has a strong Chemical Industry Base.
March 1 2007
The Chief Minister in a written reply note to the Front Partners commented that “WE HAVE MADE A MISTAKE IN NANDIGRAM. WE WON’T PROCEED A STEP FURTHER. BUT WE WANT A CHEMICAL HUB. HALDIA IS OUR FUTURE. WE HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH INDIAN OIL. THEY WILL CONSTRUCT THE FIRST REFINARY. IT WILL CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE OF CONSTRUCTING THE TEXTILE AND THE RUBBER INDUSTRY.”
In the same note he expressed that ‘minimum tear be rolled down in Singur or Nandigram for Industrialisation. THE 7 TO 10 MINUTES OF TV FOOTAGES SHOWING THE TEAR-GASING BY THE POLICE HAVE DONE AN EMMENSE DAMAGE TO US.”
March 5 2007
The State Industry Minister, Mr Nirupam Sen stressed the need for setting up a Chemical Hub at Nandigram.
This comes at a time when the CPI(M) has suspended for three months the process of acquiring the land and the Front partners are divided on the issue.
The minister said, “ THE PROJECT WAS NEEDED TO REMOVE THE ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS OF THE MINORITY POPULATION IN THE AREA. OTHERWISE THE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WOULD REMAIN STEEPED IN POVERTY”.
March 7 2007
In the afternoon, police fired TWO rounds in the air to disperse warring crowds at Tekhali and Sonachura in Nandigram.
On the same day, the police had to open fire when CPI(M) supporters alleged stormed Adhikaripara at Gokulnagar. The S.P, Mr Srinivasan said that “MORE POLICE PERSONNEL WILL BE SENT IN THE AREA TO EASE TENSION”.
March 8 2007
It was alleged that between 12 noon and 4 p.m. in the afternoon at Tulaghata area under Khejuri police station, the “cadres” of CPI(M) allegedly started firing. Two persons, namely Nilima Das, a housewife and Ms Jharna Kajali, a student of Class V of Sonachura High School were injured and were admitted to Nandigram Block Health Centre and both were subsequently transferred to
March 9 2007
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a large number of peasant women of Nandigram police station against the alleged police action (lathi charge and firing) against villagers of Maheshpur.
On the said day, the residents of Maheshpur, namely Uma Mandal, Amina Bibi, Kalpani Ari, Lakshmi Mandal, Anjali Ponda alleged that the police lathi charged the femalefolk. They were severely tortured.
March 10 2007
The D.M., Purba Medinipur convened a meeting of all political parties in which a SINGLE agenda of “repairing the damaged roads” was to be discussed so as to enable “ the police to enter into the areas”. The said meeting was not attended by the oppositions parties like the Trinamul Congress, Indian National Congress, SUCI and the Umbrella organization, the BUPC. The opposition held a view that “no steps were taken” on the basis of the resolutions taken in the earlier meetings of all political parties and the Administration.
On the same day, in the said meeting it was DECIDED by the D.M., Purba Medinipur that since roads and the connecting bridges were not repaired because of “non-cooperation of the political parties” steps would be taken by the Administration to “repair the roads and the bridges of the area”. If any individual, political party and/or organization(s) creates/ create any disturbances, in that case, “steps would be taken against such persons in accordance with law”.
Mr Lakshman Seth, the sitting M.P. of the area said the whatever is happening in the Nandigram area is nothing but a “STRUGGLE FOR SELF DEFENCE”.
March 11 2007
The Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharya, in A meeting held at Bridged Parade Ground, reiterated the promise of a Chemical Hub at Nandigram and “warned” the opposition political parties and “threatened them”.
In the same meeting, the Land and Land Revenue Minister, Mr Abdul Razzak Molla said that “ he who is losing the land is also losing the world surrounding him as land is the world to the peasant. “ He also mentioned that the reference to the Muslim community in this context is adding confusion to this matter. He categorically mentioned that it is the peasants who are losing the lands. The question of Hindu or Muslim is irrelevant here.
March 11/12 2007
At around 8 pm in the evening on Sunday, bullets were fired allegedly by the CPI(M) workers from the Khejuri side in front of the police contingent.
March 12 2007
At Kolaghat Therman Power Guest House, a meeting was held under the leadership of Shri Arun Gupta, Inspector General of Police (
March 13 2007
Shri Subhendu Adhikari, M.L.A., East Medinipur Constituency, sent a Fax message to the Chief Minister, West Bengal, wherein he had pointed out that the “police authorities have created panic among the common people of Nandigram” (vide Book THREE).
March 14 2007
On the day around 9:30 am from the Tekhsali Bridge, Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara under the leadership of Mr Debesh Baral, Additional Superintendent of Police, Tamluk, Mr Shyamal Bhattacharyay, Additional Superintendent of Police, head quarters, Mr Swapan Sarkar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Haldia along with about 300 police personnel with arms and ammunitions entered the area. It was widely alleged that at least 300 “cadres”of CPI(M) entered into the area and the police first started firing tear gas shells and immediately there after resorted to firing. At that point of time, in front of Gokulnagar, Adhikaripara police station, nearly 5000 persons were admittedly protesting the police activities.
At the same time, from the side of Bhangabera Bridge (adjacent to Khejuri) under the leadership of Arun Gupta, Inspector General of Police (western Range), Mr Tanmoy Roy Chowdhuri, Additional Superintendent of Police, Haldia, Mr Amit Hati, Officer-in-Charge, Khejuri Police station and Mr Sandip Sinha Ray, the then Officer-in-Charge, Sutahata Police Station and 500 police personnel crossed the the said bridge. It was widely alleged that about 500 “cadres” of CPI(M), who were clothe in khakee police dress along with sandals in their foot and having caps of blue and white with a logo of Saheed Bhagat Singh also crossed the bridge along with the police contingent. They jointly started firing tear gas shells and within a minute, started firing rubber bullets and immediately started firing bullets from their carbines. In the northern side of the
It may be mentioned here that they were no prohibitory order banning assembly of people in the said area, neither was any violation of law per se by the persons assembled there to practice and exercise their constitutionally granted right to pursue their religious activities.
Mr Arun Gupta, Inspector General of Police used a microphone and declared that the assembly of persons in the northern side of the Bhangabera Bridge is illegal, although no order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was ever imposed.
It was known from the statements of the officers involved in the operation as well as from the subsequent Press Briefing by the Government of West Bengal that the police forced used AK-47, the alleged “cadres” of the CPI(M) party, who were reported to be with the police contingent, used firearms and choppers.
The video that was taken by the police as well the live telecast by several Television channels ( some of them are national channels) revealed that no attack was made by any persons of the crowd to the police. There was no attempt to arrest any person at any point of time by the police.
By reason of firing, 14 persons died and 164 persons were injured who were taken to Nandigram PHC, Tamluk Hospital and subsequently to various Hospitals at Kolkata on the day or there about. ( for the complete list of such persons, vide Book TWO).
The police action of the March 14, 2007 can be visualized by the men and the materials mobilized for the said action. It was reported that about 3000 police men, TWENTY ADDITIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, THIRTY DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE were engaged in the action with rifles, revolvers, tear gas, bullets (live and rubber).
The incident drew widespread condemnation from various walks of life of the society including a grim and spontaneous statement from His Excellency, the Governor of West Bengal.( vide Book TWO and THREE) wherein he stated that “ THE NEWS HAS FILLED ME WITH A SENSE OF COLD HORROR.”.
His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal himself had witnessed the abysmal condition of the health care facilities available to the ailing patients of the incident, both at Nandigram PHC as well as in the
Several Teams of physicians paid rounds of trips to these areas and also testified the same abysmal situation as regards the health care system in and around the area. ( Vide various reports in BOOK TWO and BOOK FOUR, which contains the audio-visual documentation of the state of affairs of the health system).
CPI(M) Politburo’s statement on the said day was :” it is regrettable that lives have been lost in Police firing. But the organized elements who utilized bombs and pipe guns on the police have to take the blame.”
March 15 2007
Opposition leader Ms Mamata Banerjee said, “ DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM OF WEST BENGAL HAS BROKEN DOWN COMPLETELY. THE STATE IS NOT SAFE IN THE HANDS OF THIS CHIEF MINISTRER. THE WOMEN ARE BEING ASSAULTED. THE GOVERNMENT IS FORCIBLY ACQUIRING THE
His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal visited the Nandigram PHC and
On the same day, regarding the firing on March 14, 2007, the Chief Minister,
On the same day, the Ex-Chief Minister and a senior leader of CPI(M), Mr Jyoti Basu expressed his anguish on Nandigran issue by saying, “ IF THE POLICE HAD TO ATTACK, WHY DID THEY AIM AT THE CHEST AND THE BACK? I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY INJURED POLICE MEN. WHY IS IT THAT ONLY ORDINARY PEOPLE HAD DIED? THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS NOT GOOD. WE CONSIDER IT TO BE UNFORTUNATE. THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT SURVIVE IN THIS MANNER…”
On the same day, the Secretary of the State Committee of RSP said that “ WHY SHOULD POLICE BE EMPLOYED TO GRAB LAND? THE CHIEF MINISTER HAD SAID THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHEMICAL HUB THERE..”.
On the same day, the State Secretary of the CPI, Mr Manju Kumar Majumdar said that “ DON’T YOU DARE TO MAKE US FAMILIAR WITH NANDIGRAM; IT IS OUR BASE. CPI(M) WAS A LATE ENTRANT THERE. MR LAKSHMAN SETH IS A LAND-LORD. NOW HE IS CRYING FOR HELP..”.
On the same day, the State Secretary of AIFB, Mr Asoke Ghosh said that “ WE HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED THIS VARIETY OF LEFT FRONT. MR MAKHAN PAL, MR JYOTI BASU AND MR PRAMODE DASGUPTA ALONG WITH US ESTABLISHED THIS LEFT FRONT. THE CPI(M) WILL HAVE TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS DEED, WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE THE ONUS..” It was learnt from the Press that the Chief Minister was keeping mum throughout the meeting.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Division Bench of Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta passed an order of CBI enquiry into the incident on the basis of suo motto application of some learned Senior Advocates of the same
On the same day, eminent intellectuals from various walks of life came to the street on protest, notable among them were Ms Mahasweta Devi, littérateur ( Magssyssy Awardee and Gnan Pith Awardee), Mr Tarun Sanyal, littérateur, Mr Bibhas Chakraborty, Ms Saaonli Mitra, dramatist, Mr Subha Prasanna, artist, Dr Pallav Kirtaniya, singer and composer, among others.
In the national scene, Ms Medha Patkar said on the same day that “THE INCIDENT WAS PRE-PLANNED AND DELIBERATE”.
On the other hand, Ms Brinda Karat, the Rajya Sobha Member from West Bengal as well as a noted CPI(M) leader said in
On the same day, a number of drama personalities occupying various positions in the Government controlled West Bengal Natya Academy resigned from the Academy in protest against the March 14, 2007 incident. Notable among them who resigned were Monoj Mitra, Mr Bibhas Chakraborty, Mr Ramaprasad Banik, Mr Meghnad Bhattacharyay, Mr Asoke Mukhopadhyay, Mr Chandan Sen, Mr Prabir Guha, Mr Bratya Basu, Mr Suman Mukhopadhyay, Mr Kausik Sen and others.
March 15 2007
The Speaker of the west Bengal Assembly told the Minister for Assembly Affairs, Mr Sailen Sarkar in the assembly that “YOU WILL TELL THE CHIEF MINISTER TO MAKE A STSTEMENT ON NANDIGRAM IF POSSIBLE TODAY OR TOMORROW.”
The Chief Minister was not present in the House at that moment. He arrived in the Assembly to make a statement on Nandigram, bur had to leave after being informed that the House had been adjourned for the day.
Md Ilias, the CPI MLA from Nandigram, was present in the House but he DID NOT mention anything about his constituency.
On the same day, the Left allies accuse CPM of “one-party rule”. It is reported in the Press that RSP veteran and the sitting PWD Minister, Mr Kshiti Goswami alleged that “armed CPM cadres joined the police today” and said that “we have to think about the future of Left unity if the CPM continues to run the state with its hidden agenda and the gap between the Chief Minister’s words and the deeds widen.”
The AIFB State Secretary, Mr Asoke Ghosh also blamed police for opening fire “indiscriminately” and felt that “the government should have shown more patience to bring normalcy in Nandigram instead of police firing.”
On the same day, it was divulged by a section of the Press that the instruction to open fire was made by Writers’ Buildings. According to a Police Officer, the blue print of the operation was prepared earlier. DIG (
On the same day, His Excellency The Governor of West Bengal, after seeing the massacre in hid own eye said that “I WILL SEND THE REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF
On the same day, Ms Mamata Banerjee, M.P. and Trinamul Congress Supremo, visited Nandigram. In front of Ms Mamata Banerjee, police opened fire and teargassed people. Ms Mamata Banerjee became ill.
On the same day, protest meetings were organized and roads were blocked in almost all the districts of
On the same day, according to Press report, various students’ organization and teachers’ organization demonstrated against the mass killing in Nandigram. The teachers of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) in a press release informed: “ we, the teachers of a democratic country are stunned at the mass killing in Nandigram organized under the leadership of the state Government.”
On the same day, the West Bengal State Secretary of FIAN, Mr Biplab Halim informed that the land grabbing by the state Government in a fascist way in Nandigram was severely condemned by the International Convention in Malayasia.
On the same day, the Division Bench of Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta ordered a CBI enquiry into the incident. The Hon;ble High Court had ordered the Director of the CBI, West Bengal to immediately depute a special team in Nandigram and adjoining areas, collect relevant materials and submit a report to it. The Court observed that prima facie, innocent persons had been shot at by uniformed police officers in a wholly indefensible manner – “ Prima facie we are satisfied that this action of the police department is wholly unconstitutional and cannot be justified under any provision of law … such kind of force cannot be justified except in cases of armed insurgency or war-like situation. Innocent farmers and villagers can hardly be put into the aforesaid bracket. We take serious note of the observation made by His Excellency, the Governor of West Bengal, when he said ‘ I am filled with cold horror’”
On the same day, there were uproars in the both houses of the Parliament ( Rajyasobha and Loksobha).
March 16 2007
According to a press report, police began driving out the supporters of the BUPC in the evening who had re-entered Sonachura earlier today. According to Press report, the State CPI(M) leaders were concerned about the CBI probe as it might reveal the presence of “outsiders” who led the attack on Nandigram alongside the police.
On the same day, at a crucial meeting of the Left Front in
Police contingent will be withdrawn from Nandigram in phases.
Left Front partners will try to normalize the situation through social and political exercise.
The Nandigram incident was tragic and the government will be careful to ensure that such incident is not repeated.”
On the same day, Amnesty International asks for guilty cops to be punished.
On the same day, as a mark of protest against the Nandigram killings, historians Prof Sumit Sarkar and Prof Tanika Sarkar and Mr Pradip Dutta resolved to return the Rabindra Puraskar and the award money of Rs 50,000/-. They have decided to donate the prize money among the families of Nandigram victims. Litterature Nabarun Bhattacharyay decided to return the Bankim Puraskar and donate the award money for the rehabilitation of the villagers in Nandigram.
The alleged genocide in Nandigram led many others to give up the membership of state-run agencies. Mr Sashi Anand also declared his resignation from the membership of the West Bengal Film Development Corporation. Similarly, Mr Nabinananda Sen also declared his resignation from Nandan Advisory Committee.
On the Same day, The Chief Minister of
“Anticipating large scale resistance, the IB had suggested that police men should enter the villages from four sides. But that plan remained only on paper and the policemen, split in two groups, raced towards Sonachura from two flanks only. This proved to be an unwise move, a senior IPS officer said.
“What is point now in saying that the administration did not expect such a huge resistance” said another senior IPS Officer.
It is also reported in the press that the Senior IPS officers and the officials of the Home Department also said that “instead of firing live ammunition, they should have used smoke grenades that would have sounded like explosives but not taken any lives”.
On the same day, the UPA Government rejected the demand of NDA for a Parliamentary team to visit Nandigram.
Ms Mamata Banerjee, M.P., praised Mr Jyoti Basu, the veteran CPI(M) leader, to speak his mind on the occasion.
On the same day, the noted jurist and former Supreme Court Judge, Justice V R Krishna Iyer had severely indicated the Chief Minister of West Bengal’s Government and wrote a letter (vide Book TWO) to the national Secretary, CPI(M), Mr Prakash Karat that “ I HAD AND STILL HAVE GREAT HOPES THAT THE MARXISTS, IF IN POWER, WILL RULE WITH COMPASSIONATE IDEOLOGY AND GET VOTER AND PEOPLOE’S COOPERATION BEYOND PARTY BARRIERS. BUT TO MY HORROR, THE TERROR PRACTICED YESTERDAY AT NANDIGRAM FOILS ME WITH DREAD AND DISAPPOINTMEMT.” Incidentally, Mr Justice Iyer was the law minister of the first Marxist Government in Kerala from 1957 to 1960 and he expressed his disappointment and wrote to Mr Prakash Karat, “ But alas, in
March 17 2007
The CBI started its enquiry into the matter in terms of the order passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta. On the said day, the CBI Team held raid at JANANI BRICK FIELD under the leadership of Mr D K Thakur, Superintendent of Police, Central Bureau of Investigation and the said team recovered arms and ammunitions and other documentary evidences from the office room of the said Brick Field.. The CBI personnel arrested TEN persons and handed over them to the local Police station and on the basis of such factum of raid by the CBI, the local Sub-Inspector of Police instituted a criminal case, being Khejuri Police Station Case No. 20/07 dated 17.3.2007, under sections 25/27/35 of Arms Act and 120B of the IPC against the said arrested persons.
All the ten arrested persons turned out to belong to Communist Party of India (Marxist).
According to a report published in the newspaper, the arrested persons were handed over to the Additional SP, Jahidur Rahaman, along with the ceased arms and ammunitions. Jahidur said, “ The CBI handed over the ceased arms and ammunition and ten persons to us. CBI told us that the arrested persons were CPI(M).”
According to the report, the list of arms, ammunition and other ceased by the CBI is – 14 fire arms of which 9 rifles, 4 revolvers and 1 pistol ( automatic). The names of the arrested persons were also published in the report. They were Mr Kanailal Das, Manaranjan Maity, Rajkumar Jana, Naru Maity, Arindam Kuila, Sakti Das, Sachin Pramanik, Amal Garai, Ratikanta Maity and Panchanan Samata.
CBI officials, according to the report, were not being given full cooperation, particularly in
On the same day, it was reported by the Press that two victims of the police action in Nandigram alleged that they were raped by policemen after they fell to their blows.
The Officer-in-Charge of Tamluk police station, Mr Subhankar Dey said that the victims should have lodged their complaint with Nandigram Police Station. “ I was busy with the CBI team visit and am unaware of the incident.”
The Officer-in-Charge of the Nandigram Police Station, Mr Sekhar Roy said, “ If the two women want, they can lodge their complaints with Tamluk Police station.”
On the same day, Ms Mamata Banerjee said “ Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharya should be arrested on the charge of murdering the villagers of Nandigram.”
On the same day, Amnesty International (AI) had urged the West Bengal Government to punish “the officials, including police personnel accused of perpetrating human rights violations’ and to release those detained without any criminal charges.”
On the same day, as mark of ptotest against the mass killings in Nandigram, the noted poet Mr Sankhya Ghosh rresigned from the post of Vice President of Bangla Academy. He said that “ I HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE POST ON PROTEST AGAINST THE DASTARDLY ACT OF KILLING.”
Mr Asru Kumar Sikdar, the noted writer, resigned from the
March 18 2007
The police after searching got four 0.315 rifles ( no. AB 843231, AB 002231, AB 002312, AB 000041), a country made firearm, one barell shot gun, a firearm having a mark of DCM Centre, one 2.75 inch shot gun, one country made revolver. In the list of bullets there are 238 numbers of 8mm and 0.315 blank cartridge, 237 numbers of 0.12 bore bullets, 44 different types of cartridges, 33 different types of cartridges, 267 different types of 8mm cartridges, 0.315 cartridges, 24 numbers 0.980 cartriges. The Officer-in-Charge of Khejuri Police station, Mr Amit Hati told that besides the list, there were five mobile phones, receipts of CPI(M), leaflets of DYFI, one red flag, the writing pad of Krisahsobha, diary, phone number, 6 green helmets which are inscribed with the photograph of Bhagat Singh and one plastic bag were also recovered.
On the same day, it was reported by the Press that the attack from the Janani Brick Kiln was organized by the CPI(M) persons. It was also alleged that they were given a ransom of Rs 2 lakhs in advance.
The blue print of that mass killing in Nandigram was reported to be organized in the Khejuri party office.
March 19 2007
The State Government officially declared that n land would be acquired in the area for industrialization.
Mr Anup Agarwal, the District Magistrate, Purba Medinipur said,” On the directive of the state government, a notice was issued today saying that no land will be acquired for industrialization. One of the demands of protestors there has been fulfilled.”
On the same day, the Home Secretary, Mr Prasad Ranjan ray said that neither the Chief Minister nor anybody else at Writers’ Buildings was informed before the order for firing was issued.”
On the same day, the CBI tried to fill the gap of spent bullets. The recovery of 0.315 and 0.38 bore bullets from the spot of killing and from the Janani Brick kiln near Nandigram had led the CBI to conclude that those could have been present during the firing on March 14, 2007. A CBI Official said, “ The matter needs to be probed thoroughly as some very surprising revelation could emerge. The local police did not provide us with information like the number of rounds fired. There was also delay in submitting the post mortem reports.”
On the same day, the Chief minister,
On the same day, 22 Jamait supporters injured in a lathi-charge and teargassing when they made a protest rally in Esplanade.
March 20 2007
The villagers reported to the CBI that the policemen and the outsiders burst into their houses in Nandigram after the firing and beat up people mercilessly.
On the same day, the state government ordered a CID inquiry into the March 14, 2007 police firing in Nandigram. The CBI is also investigating the incident by an order of the Calcutta High Court Directive. Mr Prasad ranjan Ray, the Home Secretary of the State, said at Writers’ Buildings that the CBI was looking into certain aspects of the police firing but the CID would institute a through enquery.
On the same day, the lawyers demanded the copied of reports that the CBI team is sending to its Director, Mr Vijay Sasskar in
On the same day, the Communists from
March 21 2007
The CBI contested bullet count claims by the Government. The CBI Officer said,” We have tried our best to put together all the information but the posr mortem reports on all the deceased have not been made available to us.”
On the same day, according to press report, the Officers-in-Charge of the Nandigram, Sutahat and Durgacha k police stations were transferred.
On the same day, a press report is alleged revealed that a CPI(M) man owns up Nandigram rape. The person was identified as Sahadeb Pramanik. According to the report, Mr Pramanik said “ that at least 17 girls were raped inside a deserted house near Bhangabera on March 14, 2007, when police opened fire near a bridge. The victims were dragged into the house of Sankar Samanta, by the CPI(M) cadres.”
On the same day, it was reported in the press that the CID was not attaching importance to listen to the rape victims.
On the same day, the Scientists and scholars of the Department of Atomic Energy controlled institute, the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics protested against the mass killing in Nandigram.
March 22 2007
It was reported by the Press that the CBI was searching for the leaders of the CPI(M).
On the same day according to a press report of the monority commission, there was no magistrate present during the killing, while three civil magistrates were asked to be present there.
On the same day, it was reported by the press that a musician, Biswajit Ray refused to participate in a government function.
March 23 2007
The CBI submitted its 57 page report to the High Court of Calcutta. On the other hand, Advocate General of the State, Mr balai Ray informed the court that there will be no CID inquiry.
On the same day it was reported in the Press that the CBI officials detected huge number of signs of bullet and it was also reported that all the bullets were not identical. Few bullets fired in Nandigram had a similarity with bullets recovered in Khejuri. This evidently proved that the outsiders were accompanied by the police. It was also evident from the statement and the nature of injuries of thre vikkagers, as reported by the CBI, that police chased the people and fired them from the back.
On the same day, it was also reported that when Advocate General of the State denied the appointment of the CID to inquire into the matter, the Government pleader filed an appeal to the
On the same day, the people ousted from Khejuri were assembled in
On the same day, it was reported by the press that there was a conspiracy to attack the villagers by the CPI(M) goons with the help of the police and it was substabtiated by the documents obtained from the CPI(M) Party office at Khejuri.
On the same day, Asoke Guria, Member of the Secretariat to the Purba Medinipur District of the CPI(M), confidently asserted brfore the press that “it will not be easy to make Nandigram a liberated zone. Today or tomorrow when the situation permits, they will enter Nandigram. Three thousand five hundred supporters of our party will definitely not remain outside the village for an indefinite period.”
On the same day, it was also reported that from the diary of the persons held in the custody revealed the names of several police personnel.
On the same day, Mr Biman Bose, the Chairman of the ruling left front and a prominent CPI(M) Politburo member, said that the reactionary forces were out to oust the Government as it did in Kerala during the Namboodripad Ministry.
On the same day, it was also reported that there was a serious discord between the Left Front partners with the CPI(M), particularly with the RSP, the CPI and the AIFB.
March 26 2007
The Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta rejected the plea for continuation of a CBI inquiry into the March 14, 2007 incident. The
On the same day, it was reported in the Press that one Sabhu Gayen Das on being captured by the villagers admitted his association with the crime and also divulged the names of other members of the agressors.
March 28 2007
In the Convention of students and youths (Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of
On the same day, in the meeting of the District Committee of the Purba Medinipur, it was reported that Mr Lakshman Seth, the sitting M.P. of Tamluk, was criticized and was advised to leave the place by the senior members.
On the same day, Ms Mamata Banerjee, M.P., reiterated her demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister,
March 29 2007
there was a turmoil in the Assembly with the demand of the resignation of the Chief Minister in the wake of accepting the responsibility of the carnage in Nandigram.
On the same day, the Divisional Commisiuoner of Burdwan Range, Mr Balbir Ram, who was appointed for the purpose of administrative inquiry, was gheraoed by the women of Nandigram. The assembled women expressed their anger about the police and the CPI(M) acdres. Mr Balbir Ram, Mr Jogesh Chottopadhyay, IG(HQ), Mr Srinivasan, the SP, West Midnapur left the place facing the wrath of the village women.
March 31 2007
Mr Priya ranjan Das Munshi, Union Minister for information and broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs said in a convention on Nandigram that “ Nandigram was not on the list of spots earmarked for setting up of Special Economic Zones by the Union Government.”
On the same day, in a discussion organized by the Forum for Peoples’ Initiative, it was voiced that the State Government should make use of barren lands for the industrial development.
April 2 2007
Tension had been escalated in Nandigram after the recovery of a charred body but the Home Secretary of the State, Mr Prasad ranjan ray said to the press that additional forces could not be deployed in the area. Referring to an all-party meeting he said, “ let the peace process begin.”
On the same day, villagers of Sonachura and Gokulnagar alleged that the CPI(M) cadres had intensified bombing at the villages on Nandigram side along the
April 3 2007
Mr Subhendu Adhikary, the local MLA, submitted a memorandum to the Governor that property worth more than Rs 18 lakhs had been robbed and destroyed in Khejuri. On the same day, the Central Committee of the CPI(M) announced that the action on Nandigram would be taken as a “mistake” and in the meeting the Chief Minister of
April 4 2007
it was reported in the Press that there was not enough barren-land in the state for industrialization.
April 9 2007
BUPC demonstrated before the office of the BDO of Nandigram Block Number 1 with a demand for the deposition to the Commission in nandigram.
On the same day, Mr Benoy Konar, a very senior leader of the CPI(M), warned the leaders of the left allies that they were free to dissociate themselves from the Left Front and ultimately they would lose.
On the same day, Mr Biman Bose, the Chairman of the ruling Left Front in west Bengal, alleged that foreign funds are disbursed to the NGOs to thwart the development of
April 10 2007
Mr nirupam Sen, the Industry Minister of the State, said in a meeting, according to the press report, “ We have committed some mistakes. So far we have considered the process of industrialization with Tata, Salim and Balaji. But the party could not comprehend the success of agriculture on the basis of Tebhaga movement.” He also warned about the Left allies.
April 11 2007
it was revealed by the Press that the dates of discharge Certificates were changed in
On the same day, the President of Kishan Sobha, a peasant organization of the RSP, categorically told that, whatever my party’s opinion, I personally believe that the Chief Minister should resign, according to a press report.
On the same day, a letter alleged to be written by Mr Laksman Seth, the sitting M.P., tamluk, in his letter head to the Pradhans of Ishwarpur ( Number 5) Gram Panchayet and Sultanpur ( Number 5) Gram Panchayet to grab the Nandigram. The letter in the personal pad of Mr seth was exhibited in the newspapers Ms tamalika Ponda Seth, the wife of Mr Seth and a CPI(M) MLA, when contacted said, ”Lakshmanbabu is now indisposed. It is not possible to get him over phone.” The CPI(M) leader of the district, Mr Asoke Guria said, “ I am stating it with responsibility that the letter is concocted. The names written in the letter were correct. It is unbelievable that Mr Lakshman Seth wrote it.”
On the same day, the affidavit filed by the joint secretary, Home department, directed Mr balbir Ram, the Divisional Commissioner, Burdwan Division to hold an administrative inquiry into the March 14 incident in Nandigram. In its affidavit, the West Bengal Government said that there is no need for a CBI investigation into the Nandigram incident.
On the same day, the West Bengal Commission for Women had placed its report on the massacre before the Chief Minister.
April 13 2007
It was revealed by the press that the affidavit on Nandigram filed by the government in the Hon’ble High Court and the FIRs lodged by the police after March 14 firing are riddled with holes.
April 16 2007
According to a report published in the newspaper revealed that there was no mention of “rape” in the injury report of Ms Radharani Ari.
April 19 2007
Ms Sita Maity of Nandigram in her deposition to Mr balbir ram, the Head of the Admoinistrative inquiry, said that “On the 14th March, 2007 we went to the place of worship at Bhangabear at 8 am. At around 10 am, the police contingent came and on the instance of Anup Mandal, Badal Mandal, Joydeb Paik, Laksman Mandal and Bijan ray, the police open fire. Till today, firing and bombing is going on. With severe beating of the police, I became unconscious. I was admitted to the
April 27 2007
It was reported in the press that the firing and bombing were intensified from the Khejuri side after the public meeting of Ms Mamata Banerjee, M.P.
April 28 2007
it was alleged in the press report that the commonly known “cadre force” from the Khejuri side attacked the villagers with bombs and bullets. This has happened in front of Prof Amlan Dutta, the Ex-Vice-Chancellor,
April 29 2007
At least two persons were killed and several other were injured as the CPI(M) “cadres” and the “supporters” of BUPC were locked in an armed battle, according to a press report. The dead persons were Mr Dilip Mandal of Gokulnagar and Mr Mahitosh Karan of Jambari and the injured were Prakash Das, Ruksana Khatun, Srimanta Das, Rajen Kamila, Haripada Karan, Mantu Barman and Heram Bibi.
May 6 2007
It was treported in the press that Mr jyoti Basu proposed that peace must return to Nandigram. All-Party meeting should be convened, even then if pesce does not return, then the police must be sent there.
May 24 2007
is the tentative date for the all-party peace meeting.
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