Press Statement issued by
BJP National Spokesperson and MP
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

In Nandigram the CPM Cadres under open support and patronage of the State Government unleashed a series of deplorable cycle of murder, mayhem, rape and torture on innocent villagers as also the supporters of TMC and BUPC (Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee). The so called recapture of Nandigram was executed with clinical precision by mobilizing CPM goons and cadres from outside who indulged in medieval terror by killing, raping, injuring the villagers and by burning and damaging their houses.

It is very significant to note that all the Police Camps in the area were withdrawn by written orders of the S.P. of Purba Medinapur and CPM cadres were given free hands to unleash naked violence and terror with extreme depravity between 8 th and 11 th Nov. 2007. The media was forcibly prevented from going there. It was not without reason that the Chief Minister of West Bengal Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya publicly said that the trouble makers have been paid back in the same coin. He subsequently only regretted having used this expression but never disowned or, criticised his cadres in one of the worst case of State sponsored terror on poor helpless people.

About 200 cases have been registered under various sections from January to November 2007. Out of these there are 11 cases of murder (7 under Nandigram P.S. and 4 under Khejuri P.S.). In the police firing on a peaceful rally 14 innocent people were killed which under investigation by C.B.I.. There are 7 cases of rape registered under Nandigram P.S.. Naturally no action much less effective action was taken by the local police in pursuit of these cases. The same situations remains now.

Even army personnel not spared

One of the most unfortunate and revolting aspect of this reign of terror of the CPM cadres and their patronised criminal gang is that even serving or, retired Army personnel, who were resident of these villages became the victim because they had opposed their evil designs. One Aditya Kumar Bera, a retired Army Subedar and resident of Gokul Nagar is missing since 10/11/07 . No action was taken by the local police and it was only after the CRPF was deployed on 12/11/07 that Nandigram P.S. case no.-282/07 dated 21/11/07 under section 147, 148, 149, 364, 307, 367, 368 IPC, 9(b) I.E. Act and 25/27 Arms Act registered. The houses of three Army Jawans Lance Naik Bijon Kumar Pani, Naik Kalyan Shankar and Naik Shitanshu Pani were burnt and their property looted. Their complain was sent by Brig. D.K.Ghosh, Dy. GOC, HQ, Bengal Area to range I.G. Mr. Gupta–but no action was taken by the police. Those who talk so loudly about Shoharabuddin case in Gujarat , though he had an admitted criminal past, have not the slightest compunction in torturing and terrorising even Army personnel. This is the true colour of the CPM.

Attempt by CPM cadres to demoralise the CRPF

When the CRPF after deployment started taking proper action and tried to apprehend criminals and create a condition in which those who had flayed away from their villages could return, now every attempt is been made by the State Police and the Administration to deny them proper assistance. Not only this, the CPM cadres in order to demoralise CRPF and silently terrorise the victims and the witnesses are now indulging in lodging false complains/cases against the CRPF. Two glaring false cases are as follows:

The Governor of West Bengal has publicly condemned the mayhem and terror of the CPM cadres in Nandigram and the gross inaction of the Police. Even the Calcutta High Court took a serious view of police firing and the other inaction of the Police and the matter was referred to the CBI . The CRPF too was deployed only after there was a national outcry against the naked violence of the CPM cadres in and around Nandigram. Now every attempt is being made to frustrate and demoralise these two agencies so that the gross crime of CPM cadres goes unchecked and un-investigated and the victims may not get any relief. It is a serious question of constitutional impropriety and as both the CBI and the CRPF are central agencies, it is imperative that a directive must go by the Government of India to the State Government under Article 355 of the Constitution that fair investigation be allowed to be done by the CBI unhindered and the CRPF be allowed to take all steps needed without fear so that the victims of CPM violence may return to their villages and may also give their statements against the aggressors for proper prosecutions. The BJP demands prompt and fair investigation in all the cases and prosecutions and speedy trial of accused.

(Shyam Jaju)
Office Incharge