Nandigram shows CPI-M more concerned about MNCs: CPI-ML

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Drawing a parallel between the 2002 Gujarat incident and the Nandigram carnage, the CPI-ML (Liberation) today said the ruling CPI-M in West Bengal had proved itself more ''attuned to the multinational companies' requirements'', and was seeking a solution for the crisis in the rural sector from the flow of FDI into the state.

Releasing a 'fact-finding report' prepared by its leaders after visiting Nandigram, Party General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the CPI-M ceased to be a Left democratic party long back and ''found bonhomie with big capital while'' collaborating with the Congress to impose neo-liberal policies advocated by the UPA government.

''The CPI-M's policy of handing over the cultivable land to big industries will reduce the small and marginal farmers to factory labourers finding shrinking job opportunities in the face of increasing automisation,'' Mr Bhattacharya said, adding that the ruling Left was least concerned about the democratic rights of rural people.

The CPI-ML team, which met vicitms in the villages and in various hospitals besides witnesses to the carnage, informed that about 5000 police personnel cracked down on the innocent people gathered in a ground and lobbed teargas shells, fired rubber bullets and then bullets. So far, it was not clear exactly how many people had been killed and the number could be more than 20 being given out officially, he said.

''Even the children and women were not spared, some of them molested and raped too,'' Mr Bhattacharya said at a press conference here this aternoon.

The CPI-ML leader debunked the ruling CPI-M statements that outsiders, particularly Naxalites were responsible for creating 'lawlessness' in the region and said, ''The myth of extremist outsiders is being propagated by the CPI-M leaders, ignoring the fact that Nandigram is base of Left parties which returned a CPI-M MP and a CPI MLA.'' Actually, the base turned against the ruling Left Front, fearing land grabing by Saleem International from Indonesia for the construction of proposed SEZ, he added.

The CPI-ML also criticised the CPI-M for the use of its alleged cadre to suppress the people of the area and throw them out of their home and hearth.

The CPI-ML (Liberation) is holding a rally in Delhi on March 23, the martrydom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to reaffirm that the CPI-M was ''no longer Left and Democratic party'', Mr Bhattacharya informed.

UNI