Patil claims normalcy in Nandigram

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The UPA Government today claimed the overall situation at Nandigram, where at least 14 people were killed and many injured in police firing on Wednesday, was under control.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha on Nandigram violence, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the Centre had assured all possible help to the State government to restore complete peace and normalcy in the area and it was in constant touch with the State government on the matter.

In all 67 people, including 40 policemen were also injured in the incidents till date.

He said the Centre had also asked the West Bengal government to provide all necessary relief and help to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured and talk to all concerned to assuage their feelings so that peace and normalcy was established in the disturbed areas.

Till now, 14 people had been arrested from the affected area and 20 illegal arms seized, he said.

The Home Minister said the police was forced to open fire when teargas shells failed to disperse the violent mob, obstructing the police parties from entering Nandigram which was almost under seige by them since January. He confirmed there had been sporadic clashes between the 'Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee' workers and others belonging to the ruling Left Front.

The trouble in Nandigram had begun after a proposal for setting up a mega-chemical hub and a multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) over about 10,000 acres of land came under consideration of the State government, Mr Patil said.

He said the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, at a public meeting on February 11, near the affected area had announced the government's commitment that no land for setting up of the chemical hub and SEZ would be acquired at Nandigram if the people were against it.

But, the people of the area continued to protest, fearing land would be acquired and all efforts with all the parties to restore normalcy in the entire area failed. The Home Minister admitted that the Trinamool Congress and the Congress representatives did not participate in the meeting.

The decision to send strong contingents of police to Nandigram was taken as the State government felt that the lawless situation in Nandigram and its surroundings should not be allowed to continue and the damaged roads, bridges and culverts be repaired without any further delay, Mr Patil informed.

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