Centre seeks report from W B Govt over Nandigram firing

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil today told the Rajya Sabha that the Centre had asked for a detailed report from the West Bengal Government over today's firing in the proposed Special Economic Zone in Nandigram in the state.

''According to the preliminary information that we got through telephonic conversation, six people were killed in the firing,'' he said making a statement in the House on a direction of the Chair.

He said he had spoken to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharji, and the Home Secretary had spoken to the state Chief Secretary over phone about the situation to collect preliminary information for the House.

Mr Patil told the House they were waiting for detailed information in writing.

He said the police firing and mob violence also left 20, including eight policemen injured, he said. Those killed were villagers who were trying to prevent workers from going to Nandigram SEZ area to start construction of a road.

He said a mob of 20,000 had collected and gheraoed the two places where workers were going for work.

There was stone pelting from the mob to which the police replied with teargas and rubber bullets, but soon some crude bombs were thrown and there was firing and then police too had to open fire, in which six people were killed.

However, the situation was under control now, Mr Patil said.

Earlier, the House witnessed uproarious scenes over the issue, with the BJP Members equating the incident with the Jalianwallah massacre.

Not satisfied with the Home Minister's reply, the members disrupted proceedings of the House, forcing Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan to adjourn it till tomorrow.

UNI