HRF asks Centre to order NHRC probe into Nandigram killings

Hyderabad, Apr 30 (UNI) The Human Rights Forum (HRF) today demanded that the Centre should order ienquiry into Nandigram killings by an Independent Commission, headed by the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and at least one member from a reputed national NGO.

Releasing a report prepared by a three-member committee after visiting the village where the firing took place on March 14 in West Bangal, HRF member Tara said the committee strongly condemned the ''oppressive nature of the Buddhadeb government in implementing its anti-people policies to safeguard the interest of the big corporate sector''.

Demanding that the state government announce Rs five lakh as compensation to the family of each deceased, and Rs one lakh to those injured, she said the state government should also initiate steps to provide free medical facilities to the injured.

The committee found that entire stretches of lands in the villages in Nandigram were fertile and people were not willing to give up their lands. A majority of them were eking out their livelihood by various agricultural activities on the land.

UNI