Lok Sabha Debates
Statement Regarding Incident Of Firing In Nandigram, West Bengal On 14.03.2007. on 14 March, 2007
> Title: Statement regarding incident of firing in Nandigram, West Bengal on 14.03.2007.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL): Sir, I was told that I have to make a statement on what has happened in Nandigram in West Bengal. I did not have the notice. I was in a meeting and immediately after this I have another appointment and I have to go back.
Sir, in the Rajya Sabha I was directed by the Presiding Officer in the morning that I should get the information from the State Government of West Bengal and give that information to the House. So, I spoke to the Chief Minister on telephone; the Home Secretary spoke to the Chief Secretary and the Special Secretary (Security) has been speaking to the officers over there. We have been asking them to give us the information in writing. But probably it has not been possible for the Government of West Bengal to send the information in writing to us because the things had happened in Nandigram. They are also collecting information. Some people who have been injured are in the hospital. They are collecting the information. But telephonically what they told us, I am giving that information to this House. I have not received that information in writing signed by them.
I was told that near two places in Nandigram area a large number of people had collected and they were objecting to the acquisition of agricultural land. They were also not allowing the construction of road and bridges to take place. They were obstructing the work that was going on over there. So, the workers were going to that place to construct the road and the bridges. They were also supported by the police. It seems that when they came close to each other some altercation took place and stones were thrown at each other. I was told that some also took place. Some pipe gun firing also took place. I was also told, orally of course, that something like bombs and explosives were also thrown. Then, the police in order to protect, I was told by the State, also had to resort to lathi charge and use tear gas shells. They fired some rubber bullets. Later on, they had to fire real bullets. In the process, in the information given to us, initially, they told us, four people had died, but the information which was sent to us was that six people had died and about 20 people were injured and the injured people have been sent to the hospital. The police is over there and they tell us that the situation there is under control. This is the only information that we have and I am sharing it with the hon. Members of this august House. … (Interruptions)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (BALASORE): What is the Government going to do about it because the acquisition of land is not the problem of only West Bengal? … (Interruptions) The Government of India should also intervene and solve the problem.
सभापति महोदय : स्वाईं जी, अभी पूरी इन्फोरमेशन प्राप्त नहीं हुई है, जब पूरी इन्फोरमेशन प्राप्त हो जाएगी, तब आप बात करें।
SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL: We will do whatever is directed to us. We will do whatever you ask us to do. If the direction is that we should give some more details, we will come with it. What I am doing today through this statement is giving the factual information to the hon. Members. As regards the policy which has to be followed can be explained by those people who are acquiring the land and they would be responsible for making policies. Naturally, Government of India, if consulted, will give its views and, if necessary, will also try to solve the problem and try to overcome the difficulties. But it is not possible for me to make a statement on the policies instantaneously while giving information. … (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदय: अभी इन्फोरमेशन कलेक्ट की जा रही है, पूरी इन्फोरमेशन कलेक्ट नहीं हुई है। जब पूरी इन्फोरमेशन प्राप्त हो जाएगी, तब आप पूछें।
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am not allowing you. Please take your seat. This is not the opportune time for clarifications.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : We are very disappointed with the behaviour of the Government of West Bengal.… (Interruptions) We strongly protest against what the West Bengal Government has done and hence, we are walking out. … (Interruptions)
17.47 hrs. (At this stage, Shri Kharabela Swain and some other hon. Members left the House.)