Centre should investigate rifle purchase: Mamata

Kolkata, May 4 (UNI) The Opposition Trinamool Congress today urged the Centre to investigate rifle purchase by the state government for the police force from Icchapur Gun and Shell factory.

Addressing a protest rally, organised by the Krishi Jami Raksha Committee here, she alleged that the District Magistrate of Bardhaman was issued the licences to purchase the rifles from the Icchapur Gun and Shell factory for the police force, but later those were used by the CPI (M) cadres against the Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee members for capturing Nandigram on April 29.

She also alleged that the ruling government was using the same fashion at Nandigram as was used earlier at Keshpur and Garbeta for capturing the area.

'' We are urging the Centre to investigate the rifle purchase matter seriously. We want peace at any cost at Nandigram and the Chief Minister and his government should take responsibility to bring peace back there, '' she added.

Peace will come if the ''cadres involved in Nandigram killing'' were brought to book, she said.

UNI