Intellectuals, social workers protest ''killings'' in Nandigram

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) Hundreds of intellectuals and social workers today came together to lodge their protest against the ''indiscriminate killings'' of innocent people in Nandigram by so-called cadres of the ruling CPI(M).

The protestors submitted a memorandum to the Resident Commissioner of West Bengal at a rally organised in front of his office here.

The Nandigram issue was against the basic Left ideology as the party came to power in West Bengal on the pledge of improving the conditions of the farmers and the poor, but here at Nandigram, the ''CPI (M) cadres are killing innocent farmers to grab their lands for the establishment of the capitalists'', SUCI Delhi unit General Secretary Pratap Shyamal said while talking to newspersons here.

In the last three days, several people have been killed and thousands injured while hundreds of villagers have fled their homes and are living without any shelter, he said, adding that the Centre was silently watching these developments as its own survival depended on the support of the Left parties.

''Is this the fruit of sixty years of democracy?'' he questioned.

The demonstrators also raised slogans demanding the removal of the Left Front government and imposition of President's rule for speedy improvement of law and order situation in the State.

Mr Shyamal also accused the CPI(M) of acting worse than the fascists.

Meanwhile, 15 intellectuals and others participating in the agitation who were taken into custody were later released.

UNI