Bangla bandh begins peacefully

Kolkata, Jan 08 (UNI) West Bengal Pradesh Congress called 24-hour Bangla Bandh protesting against the Saturday night's violence at Nandigram in East Midnapore district in connection with the alleged rumours regarding the governments forceful acqusition of farmland began at 0600 hours today.

All India Trinamool Congress in the name Krishi Jami Raskya Committee(committee for protection of farm land) have also called a 12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours protesting against the alleged police atrocities on innocent farmers in Nandigram violating the government's assurance for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

WBPCC General Secretary Manas Bhuinyan and opposition leader and senior TMC leader Partho Chatterjee announced their respective party's decision for tomorrow's 'Bangla Bandh in separate news conferences last evening.

They lambasted the state govt and the law enforcing agencies for violating the peaceful atmosphere at Nandigram, which was already simmering in tension because of the rumours about the forceful acqusition of nearly 22,000 acres of multiple crop land like Singur, in the name of industrialisation.

Meanwhile, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu asked the government to initiate all possible steps to restore peace in Nandigram and urged the people to discard the bandh call given by the opposition.

"The people of the state are democracy loving. They will decide whether they will like another bandh. All examinations will go unhindered and the government offices will remain open. There will be public transport available and even if there is a derth I request the people to go out on foot," he said.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "We had made no such proposal about acquiring land in Nandigram. It is a result of rumours." "The situtaion has come to this state because of a whispering campaign done by some parties spreading rumours about the acquisition of land for SEZ in Nandigram," he said.

He was also concerned about the increasing tension in East Midnapur.

"I am sure that the general people will discard the bandh.

Nobody wants a bandh. Its not about getting political mileage, its about the well being of the state," Mr Bhattacharjee said.

"A bandh cannot benifit anyone. Even the farmers in Singur were affected by the bandh call. It is anti-progress. I am once again inviting the opposition parties to sit across the table and discuss the issues," he said.

Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty said, "All the government buses and vehicles will plying today. The bandh does not serve any purpose." "I am sure that democracy loving people will will reject the bandh and go ahead with their life normally," he said.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward situation. A huge posse of policemen have been kept standing outside Nandigram to prevent further violence.

UNI