PM asks Shivraj Patil to look into Nandigram violence

Kolkata, Nov 5(UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed concern over the continued violence in Nandigram and asked Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to look into the matter.

'' I am concerned over the development there. I have spoken to the Home Minister to look into this urgently,'' he said in a letter to PDS President Saifuddin Chowdhury.

Dated October 30, the Prime Minister's letter was a reply to an earlier communication from Mr Chowdhury regarding Nandigram.

State Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee talked to Mr Patil last week following a sudden spurt in violence and sought deployment of Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) in the embattled area in West Midnapore district.

Clashes between rival political groups continued unabated in Nandigram even after the state government declared its decision not to acquire land for the proposed chemical hub. The violence claimed more than 30 lives and left thousands homeless over the past ten months.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Government has transferred the Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Arun Gupta, removing two police officers from the area in a week's time.

Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray today said Mr Gupta would be replaced by Mr Rakesh Gupta.

Few days ago, Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore district G A Srinivas was also transferred.

Mr Roy said one battalion of CRPF jawans was likely to arrive at Nandigram, the scene of continued violence, this week.

In reply to a question, he said the CRPF would be under the state government, but act independently.

UNI