Nandigaram is not marked for SEZ: Centre
New Delhi, Oct 29: Concerned over resurgence of sporadic violence at Nandigram in West Bengal, the Union government today clarified that no Special Economic Zone(SEZ) is being set up there, indicating that the Salim Group of Indonesia has abandoned its plan to establish a chemical hub at Nandigram.
'' There is no application proposing to set up SEZ at Nandigram'', the Union Commerce Ministry statement said here today.
The Centre's clarification has come in the wake of fresh violence in Nandigram region following the clashes between activists of anti-acquisition Krishi Jami Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) and CPI(M).
Nandigram witnessed renewed violence since Saturday, which claimed four lives. Three CPI(M) activists were killed in a bomb blast at a relief camp run by the party at Sherkhan Chowk in Khejuri area on Saturday night. The party alleged the bombs were hurled by the BUPC.
The SEZ controversy, in which 14 people lost thier lives in March this year, started when the West Bengal government decided that the Salim Group would set up a chemical hub under the SEZ policy at Nandigram, a rural area in East Midnapore district.
It was the violent protests over land acquisition in Nandigram, which forced the Central government to modify land acquisition policy for the SEZs in the country.
UNI