Industrialisation in Bengal to continue despite odds : Basu

Kolkata, Mar 30 (UNI) Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu today said industrialisation in West Bengal would continue despite odds and the Left Front Government would overcome the difficulties it was facing following the Nandigram incident.

'' We will be able to overcome the difficulties and the process of industrialisation will continue pushing through all obstacles, '' he told reporters after attending the CPI(M) State Secretariat meeting.

His assertion came two days after Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said at a rally that his Government would go-ahead with the proposed chemical-hub project, relocating it at an alternative site from Nandigram.

Admitting that the countrywide outcry following the Nandigram incident had put his party and the Left Front Government in difficulties, the nonagenarian leader said things would ease out ''once facts are revealed after investigation''.

Altogether 14 people were killed when police opened fire on a mob while trying to enter Nandigram on March 14. With allegations that the figure of casualty was much higher and that armed CPI(M) cadres were also behind the ''massacre'', the Oppositon as well as a number of social organisations kicked up a furore, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order a CBI probe.

However, an executive investigation and a CID inquiry, ordered by the state Government, were also running simultaneously.

Mr Basu said his party had launched campaign in districts, seeking people's cooperation and trying to convince them why industrialisation is necessary.''However, this should have been done before, '' he said.

While asserting that the industrialisation move would not damage agriculture, Mr Basu observed that an adequate compensation would be given to those whose land will be taken for setting up of industriesl. ''The issue of rehabilitation is also being looked into,'' he said.

Emphasising on strengthening unity among the Left Front partners, whose bickerings spilled over in public following the March 14 police firing in Nandigram, the veteran leader said the coalition would cease to exist in the absence of collectiveness and there should be no 'mini Front' within the Front.

'' If some partners hold separate meetings among themselves they can do that. But that can not be a permanent feature because that will lead to disintegration of the Front. Strengthen the Left Front, '' he said.

UNI