there is no difference between CPM and CONGRESS

Rajeev Ranjan Roy | New Delhi Cong backs CPM on Nandigram Toeing the line of an unrepentant CPI(M), Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Friday defended the 'police brutalities' on the agitating farmers of Nandigram on March 14, saying that the policemen opened the fire in self-defence. Patil informed the Lok Sabha that 'the police initially fired rubber bullets' to control the situation, but it yielded no results. "Ultimately, the police had to open fire in self-defence to disperse of the mob," he said, which left scores of farmers dead and many others injured.

Referring to the situation that led to the killings, Patil said that the police movement started at 10 am on March 14 in Nandigram area. "While one of the police parties could move into Nandigram without resistance, two other police parties were confronted by large gatherings of hostile people," he said.

"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," he said.

"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," Patil added.

Patil's reply to the House, though based on the report received by Ministry of Home Affairs from West Bengal government on the evening of March 14, is bound to raise many an eyebrow in political circles in general and among the NDA leaders in particular.

The Opposition feels that toeing the State Government's line the Lok Sabha exposes the Congress' inability in 'doing or uttering anything in the House that goes against the wishes of the CPM.'

Patil said that another police party on March 14 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 SP Tamluk and assistant SP received splinter injuries and 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 the bombs that they were hurling also injured some of the agitators. Till 8 pm on March 14, 2007, according to the report received at the State headquarters, 14 people died including some critically injured people who succumbed to the injuries," Patil stated in his reply.

Though the Home Minister's reply talks of 'hurling of bombs' and violent resistance from the crowds, but only eight firearms were recovered during the police search. "Following the above incidents, there was no further organised 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 reach a few other neighbouring villages. In the course of their search, 8 illegal firearms were recovered which had probably been used against the police party," his reply said.

What turned out to be the most outrageous attack by the State police on the farmers in the country in recent decades, the report of the State Government that Patil read out in the Lower House was an attempt to end the continuing lawless situation in the area.

"It was decided that the lawlessness in Nandigram and surroundings should not be allowed to continue. The damaged roads, bridges and culverts should be repaired without any further delay and police should take up the investigations of the cases of the murder," Patil said.

"Thereafter, police force was mobilised 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 the loudspeakers 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," Patil said.

In what appears to be the obvious impact of CPM on Patil's response on the Nandigram massacre in the House, he said that as per the report received from the State Government, some miscreants on March 15 ransacked the CPI(M) party office in the area.

"They also attempted to set fire to the BDO (block development officer) office. However, no extensive damage has been reported due to the intervention of the police, which fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob. It has also been reported that 14 persons have been arrested from the affected area and 20 illegal arms have been recovered and seized," he said.

"The central Government is in constant touch with the State Government. It has been asked to provide all necessary relief and help to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured and also to talk to all concerned to assuage their feelings so that peace and normalcy is established in the disturbed areas. All possible preventive steps should be taken to ensure that the situation is diffused," Patil added. http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=front%5Fpage&file_name=story2%2Etxt&counter_img=2