Left Front to take fresh peace initiative for Nandigram

Kolkata, May 28 (UNI) With the all-party meeting ending in a whimper, the ruling Left Front will meet on June two to evolve a meeting ground with the opposition to keep going the peace move for Nandigram.

Forward Bloc state Secretary Ashok Ghosh today discussed with Left Front Chairman Biman Basu the details of the all-party meeting which was adjourned following walkout by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on May 24 and both agreed that more homework was needed.

"It has been decided that a Left Front meeting will be held on June two to find out a meeting point between what Mamata wants and what the Left partners want. We need to do proper homework which we did not do earlier before calling another all-party meeting," Mr Ghosh, who was the convener of the all-party meeting, told reporters.

In reply to a question, the veteran Forward Bloc leader said the Front meeting would also discuss the contention of the opposition about the draft resolution for the failed all-party meeting.

The Trinamool Congress, led by Ms Banerjee, walked out of the meeting demanding that the draft resolution should have a mention about the alleged mass killing and rape in Nandigram on March 24.

Meanwhile, taking a stand similar to that of the Trinamool Congress, Congress Legislature Party Leader Manas Bhunia categorically said not only should the government admit that mass killing and rape took place in Nandigram, but also initiate move to punish the offenders.

"The Chief Minister is playing the role of a hypocrit. He must get arrested the CPI(M) goons and punished the guilty police officers before the next all-party meeting," he said.

He alleged that the May 24 all-party meeting failed because of the Left Front's attempt to force the draft resolution on the opposition parties.

Mr Bhunia demanded that any resolution must be based on discussions and evidence and it should not be drafted before hand "at the will of anybody." UNI KDG ADG SRC2002