AICC team alleges CPI(M) involvement in police firing

Nandigram, Mar 18 (UNI) A three-member All India Congress Committee (AICC) team led by Digvijay Singh today alleged that the CPI(M) men in police uniform had joined the police in their attack on March 14.

The AICC team had visited Nandigram for onspot assessment.

Describing the incident as ''horrendous'', Mr Singh told mediapersons that CPI(M) men in police uniform had joined the police in the attack on villages.

''This is unthinkable in a civilised country. We shall submit a report to party president Sonia Gandhi,'' he said.

Mr Singh demanded that the state government announce a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the kins of the deceased and Rs five lakh each for the injured.

The two other members who visited along with him were Madhusudan Mistry and Sushila Tiriya. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Working President Pradip Bhattacharjee, Congress legislature party leader Manas Bhunia and other state leaders accompanied the AICC team.

Later, addressing a meeting at Sonachura, Mr Singh demanded Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's resignation for the police firing on ''innocent villagers'' in Nandigram that left 14 people dead.

''It is a blot on civilisation. Whatever has happened is unheard of in independent India. The chief minister should put in his papers,'' Singh told the meeting.

Police, he said, should desist from any more atrocities. ''A peaceful solution to the problem must be found,'' he said.

''As soon as the CBI files its report, we will discuss and see what can be done,'' the AICC general secretary said.

Singh visited Sonachura Bazar today and spoke to villagers. Women in large numbers narrated their tales of sorrow.

UNI