Lok Sabha Debates
The Minister Of Home Affairs Made A Statement Regarding Incidents On 14.03.2007 ... on 16 March, 2007
Title: The Minister of Home Affairs made a statement regarding incidents on 14.03.2007 in the Nandigram Police Station Area in West Bengal.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL): Madam, I rise to inform the House about the unfortunate and tragic incidents that took place on 14.3.2007 in the Nandigram Police station area in West Bengal.
A report received in the Ministry of Home Affairs from the West Bengal Government on 14th March, 2007 evening in this matter is as follows:-
"A proposal for setting up a mega-chemical hub and a multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) over about 10, 000 acres of land in Nandigram Police Station of Purba Medinipur District was under consideration of the State Government. Though no final decision has yet been taken about the exact location of the projects, on December 28, 2006 an informal notice for public information regarding likely location of this project was circulated by the Haldia Development Authority to all Blocks and Gram Panchayat offices of the area. This notice was by way of information only. No specific location of the projects had yet been decided by the State Government. Once this notice reached various Block offices, there was massive resentment among those people who feared that their lands would be acquired. A number of political organizations and parties formed a Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee. On January 03, 2007, an unruly mob of about 3,000 people attacked a police party under the charge of Officer-in Charge, Nandigram Police Station and set fire to a police jeep. In another incident on the same day, another police jeep was set on fire at Garchakraberia Bazar. Twenty-three police personnel also received injuries in these clashes. Three cases were registered in Nandigram Police Station over these incidents.
I was told by the hon. Chief Minister that he has told his officers that the acquisition proceedings will not be continued without developing a kind of an agreement between the farmers and the Government. These incidents were followed by several meetings between the Administration and the Opposition parties in which it was clarified by the district administration that no notification for acquisition of land had yet been finalized. In spite of that, local feelings ran very high and a bandh was declared in Nandigram Police Station area on January 04, 2007. Following this, peace meetings were held in several places of Nandigram Police Station on January 06, 2007, but even after the meetings, the situation turned violent. In the night of January 06/07, 2007, there was a major clash between two groups one owing allegiance to the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee and the other owing allegiance to the ruling Left Fro[r4] nt.
In this clash, four people who were residents of various villages of Nandigram Police Station, were killed and two separate cases were started over this incident. This was followed by ransacking of CPI (M) Party offices at several places and incidents of violence and arson at the residence of several local leaders of CPI (M). The agitators also damaged many bridges and culverts and dug up several roads as a result of which, the movement of vehic1es became impossible after 7 January, 2007.
There, a series of peace meetings convened by the District Magistrate, Purba Medinipur over this issue starting from January 08, 2007 in which it was unanimously decided that all parties will take necessary steps to restore peace in the locality and police camps would be set up at the disturbed places. Despite these resolutions, however, it was not possible to repair the damaged roads, culverts and bridges and it was also not possible to deploy the State Police within the affected parts of the Nandigram Police Station. Despite several measures initiated by the District administration to restore peace, execution of all Governments projects and schemes came to a standstill since no Government officer was allowed to enter the affected area. Gradually, a number of people, owing allegiance to CPI (M) had to move their places of normal residence in Nandigram Police Station and take shelter in several temporary camps at Khejuri. Tension between the two rival groups kept on mounting. There were several incidents of violence between February 3 and February 6, 2007 in which fire was exchanged or bombs exploded between the rival groups. On February 7, 2007 a Sub-Inspector of Police Shri Sadhu Chatterji had gone to investigate a report received about destruction of road communication. Hewas waylaid by an unruly mob and killed. His dead body was recovered only on February 10, 2007. Over this incident also, a case was started but all these cases could not be investigated properly because the police was not able to enter the affected areas.
On February 11, 2007, the Chief Minister, in a public meeting at a place close to the affected area, made an open commitment that no land for setting up the chemical hub and SEZ would be acquired at Nandigram if the people of Nandigram were against such acquisition.
However, sporadic incidents of violence involving displaced people in the camps at Khejuri and the people at Bhangaberia and Sonachura areas of Nandigram Police Station continued. It was resolved in one of the peace meetings that both parties would maintain peace during the Madhyamik Pariksha (Class-X) which was going on. The Madhyamik Pariksha was over on March 5, 2007. The District Magistrate, Purba Medinipur again convened an all-party peace meeting. In this meeting, he proposed that peace should be restored, police should enter the affected areas of Nandigram Police Station, damaged bridges and roads should be repaired and normalcy restored to the entire affected areas. However, the representatives of the Trinamool Congress and some other Parties did not attend this meeting.
It was decided that this lawless situation in Nandigram and its surroundings should not be allowed to continue, and the damaged roads, bridges and culverts should be repaired without any further delay, and police should take up the investigation of the cases of the murder. Thereafter, police force was mobilized and it was decided that the force should enter Nandigram through three separate routes under the leadership of senior officers. The police force was asked to exercise utmost restraint. They were further directed to use loud hailers to explain the purpose of the movement of the police party to the people of that locality which is to establish peace and to restore normalcy. Ultimately the police movement started about at 10.00 a.m. on March 14, 2007. While one of the police parties could move into Nandigram without resistance, two other police parties were confronted by large gatherings of hostile peo[r5] ple.
When the police asked them to disperse, they paid no heed and resorted to heavy brick-batting causing injury to some policemen. To disperse the mob, police lobbed tear gas shells. The mob then became more agitated and started hurling bombs followed by opening of fire. A few policemen sustained splinter injuries. To control the situation, police initially fired rubber bullets, but this again yielded no results. Ultimately, the police had to open fire in self-defence causing dispersal of the mob. This incident took place near Bhangaberia bridge. Another police party also met with violent resistance at Adhikaripara where heavy brick-batting, bomb throwing took place. As a result, some police were injured. In both the incidents, 12 policemen including Additional S.P. Tamluk and Assistant S.P. (Probationer) received splinter injuries and injuries due to brick batting. Serious and extensive injuries could be avoided as all the policemen were in protective gear. However, a number of people were injured in the police firing and it is believed that some of the agitators were also injured by the bombs that were being hurled. Till 8.00 p.m. on March 14, 2007, according to the report received at the State headquarters, 14 people died including some critica11y injured people who succumbed to the injuries. In addition, there were 63 injured people of whom 29 were shifted to Tamluk District Hospital for treatment. Five people were released after treatment of minor injuries and the rest were still at Nandigram Rural Hospital to receive treatment or awaiting transfer to Tamluk Sub-Divisional Hospital. This is in addition to the 12 policemen injured in the incident who received medical attention separately.
Following the above incidents, there was no further organized resistance to the movement of the police party who were now able to move to Sonachura and establish a temporary camp there. Police was also able to search a few other neighboring villages. In course of the police search, 18 illegal fire-arms were recovered which had probably been used against the police party.
There is high tension prevailing in the area but the situation is currently under control. This is a report received not today, Madam and this report has been received yesterday. Police camps have been set up in the disturbed area. Senior police officers are also camping and making efforts to restore peace.
Madam, now this is as per the information given by the State Government, and nothing is added to it.
As per further report received from the State Government, on 15.3.2007 some miscreants ransacked CPI-M party office. … (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदया : पहले मंत्री जी का स्टेटमैंट पूरा होने दीजिए।
…( व्यवधान)
SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL: They also attempted to set fire to the CPM office. However, no extensive damage has been reported due to the intervention of Police which fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob. … (Interruptions) It has also been reported that 14 persons have been arrested from the affected area. … (Interruptions) While the death toll remains at 14, 67 persons have been injured including 40 policemen. The overall situation was reported to be under control. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Shri Swain, this is not the way. You please sit down. Let him complete the Statement.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI SHIVRAJ V. PATIL: The Central Government is in constant touch with the State Government. They have been asked to provide all necessary relief and help. The State Government has also been asked to take all possible preventive steps to ensure that the situation is defused. The Central Government has promised that the situation should be defused and for defusing the situation, all help would be given to them.
We feel sorry for the lives lost and the people injured, and we feel that appropriate steps will be taken to defuse the situation. Instead of sitting in judgment, we should take steps to see that the situation is defused and controlled.
……. (Interruptions)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : The SEZ notification should be stopped immediately if the Central Government really wants to do something. … (Interruptions)
डॉ. रामकृष्ण कुसमरिया (खजुराहो) : पहले एसईजेड खत्म कीजिए।...( व्यवधान) जहां-जहां एसईजेड जाएगा, वहां-वहां यह घटनाएं घटेंगी।...( व्यवधान)
SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : They saved the police. The people thought that police force … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … 16.00 hrs. MADAM CHAIRMAN : Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * MADAM CHAIRMAN: Now, Statement to be made by Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh regarding the announcement of bonus for wheat farmers.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh, if you want, you may lay it on the Table of the House.
* Not recorded THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH): No, Madam. I would like to read it.… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the statement of the hon. Minister.
(Interruptions) …* MADAM CHAIRMAN: You go on shouting; nothing is going on record.
(Interruptions) … * MADAM CHAIRMAN: This is not the way, Mr. Swain. Please be seated. Nothing is going on record.
(Interruptions) …* MADAM CHAIRMAN: If you find it well, you go on shouting. Mr. Swain, Mr. Lahiri and others please take your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: This is not the way.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Yes, Dr. Akhilesh, you may please read your statement.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Mr. Swain, this is not the way. Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदया : यह समय प्राइवेट मैम्बर बिजेनस का है। आप इस समय को खराब मत कीजिए। I am requesting you all.
…( व्यवधान)
*Not recorded THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI): Madam, as we promised to the House to give the updated information on the situations both on Chhattisgarh and Nandigram incidents, the hon. Home Minister has made a suo motu statement.
As you know, in parliamentary practice, the Union Home Minister cannot make any statement excepting that is furnished by the concerned State Government, be it Chhattisgarh or be it West Bengal. Therefore, I would request all the hon. Members that since the CBI is seized of the matter, let the House may be allowed to run… (Interruptions) The hon. Home Minister had promised to the House to make a statement and he has fulfilled his promise. The Union Government has no other agency excepting the concerned State Government to give any information to the House. As a Government, our stand is very clear that whatever updated information is available, we would give it to the House. Therefore, I would request that now let the other business of the List of Business listed for today may be transacted… (Interruptions)
Madam, I appeal to Kharabela-ji that one of the important announcements pertaining to the interests of the farmers of the country is going to be just announced, for which the farmers are waiting; the procurement drive is on; and therefore, I think, this matter should get all priority now, and let Dr. Akhilesh make a statement in this regard.
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सभापति महोदया : अब किसी भी साइड से कोई कमेंट्स नहीं होना चाहिए।
…( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदया : सभी लोग इन सभी बातों से चिंतित हैं। पूरा सदन दोनों घटनाओं से दुखी और चिन्तित है।
…( व्यवधान)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Yes, Mr. Minister