Nandigram issue: Bangla bandh begins peacefully

Kolkata, Jan 08: West Bengal Pradesh Congress called 24-hourBangla Bandh protesting against the Saturday night's violence atNandigram in East Midnapore district in connection with the allegedrumours regarding the governments forceful acqusition of farmland beganat 0600 hours today.

All India Trinamool Congress in the name Krishi Jami RaskyaCommittee(committee for protection of farm land) have also called a12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours protesting against the allegedpolice atrocities on innocent farmers in Nandigram violating thegovernment's assurance for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

WBPCC General Secretary Manas Bhuinyan and opposition leader andsenior TMC leader Partho Chatterjee announced their respective party'sdecision for tomorrow's 'Bangla Bandh in separate news conferences lastevening.

They lambasted the state govt and the law enforcing agencies forviolating the peaceful atmosphere at Nandigram, which was alreadysimmering in tension because of the rumours about the forcefulacqusition of nearly 22,000 acres of multiple crop land like Singur, inthe name of industrialisation.

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

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

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "We had made no suchproposal about acquiring land in Nandigram. It is a result of rumours.""The situtaion has come to this state because of a whispering campaigndone by some parties spreading rumours about the acquisition of landfor 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 wereaffected by the bandh call. It is anti-progress. I am once againinviting the opposition parties to sit across the table and discuss theissues," he said.

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

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

UNI

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