Basu appeals to Mamata to work for Nandigram peace

Kolkata, Jun 1(UNI) CPI(M) patriarch Jyoti Basu today appealed to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to sit across the table with the Left Front to bring back peace in Nandigram rather than insisting on that the March 14 killings be termed as a 'genocide'.

"Why should we unnecessarily describe the killings as an act of genocide? Eight persons were killed in police firing while six others died of bomb and bullet injuries during the attack by the agitators," he told reporters after attending the party's weekly state Secretariat meeting.

With more than 2,500 CPI(M) supporters and others being driven out of home, the need of the hour was to work for restoration of peace in Nandigram, he said.

"How long can such a situation continue? The Trinamool Congress should sit with the Left Front for a negotiated settlement," he said making an appeal to Ms. Banerjee to work towards restoration of normalcy in Nandigram.

The comment of the CPI(M) veteran, who had earlier accused the opposition of not being sincere in the peace process for Nandigram, came a day ahead of the Left Front meeting. The meeting is scheduled to discuss ways to ease out differences with the opposition that spoiled the all-party peace meeting, held on May 24.

Ms.Banerjee walked out of the meeting demanding that the March 14 killings be termed as a "genocide" and those guilty punished to ensure a smooth peace process.

UNI