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> 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)