[Reader-list] The Tragedy of Nandigram

[Shuddhabrata Sengupta]

Dear Friends,

The incident of the brutal armed police attack in order to 're-take' 
Nandigram in West Bengal yesterday is yet another milestone in the 
relationship between police and people in that state. According to 
newspaper reports, 14 people have died and more than 75 people have been 
injured in yesterday's violence. The injured include around 12 
policemen. However, estimates of the dead and the injured vary.

A brief and incomplete history of police violence in West Bengal would 
have to include police attacks on agitating Calcutta tram workers in 
1954, on the general population during the food riots of 1954, on 
striking school teachers in 1954-56, on protesting students on August 
31, 1959, which resulted in the death of 80 students, on 2nd September 
1959, when several others were killed (bringing the August-September 
1959, total of deaths up to 102). Again, in 1966, students agitating on 
issues to do with the rising prices of essential commodities were 
brutally repressed by police action, leading to the death of several 
young people.

In all these conflicts, it was very often militants and activists 
belonging to the Communist Parties, and since 1965, the CPI (M) that 
faced police violence. However, with the election of the first (and then 
the second) United Front ministries (1967-69) (which included the CPI 
and the CPI(M) , the pattern of victims and patrons of violence had to 
undergo a subtle shift. And while the CPI (M) did continue to enjoy a 
degree of respect for having borne the brunt of police violence through 
successive erstwhile Congress administrations, it became equally clear 
that the party was not by any means hesitant to use the repressive 
machinery of the state to further its own ends. This became abundantly 
clear when, in the wake of the Naxalbari uprising, the then home 
minister Jyoti Basu (later to be Chief Minister of West Bengal), 
sanctioned the use of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) to quell 
dissident peasant activists from what had once been his own party in 
North Bengal. Hence, the popular slogan of the late 1960s "Jyoti Babu 
doley, CRP er koley" (Jyoti Babu Swings in the Lap of the CRP)

After the fall of the United Front government and the Congress's return 
to power police terror gripped West Bengal in the wake of the Naxalbari 
movement, and the state terror unleashed in Calcutta and several 
districts of West Bengal by the Siddhartha Shankar Ray led Congress 
ministry left several hundreds dead, and imprisoned. Many people 
disappeared.

Since the CPI (M) dominated Left Front government came to power in 1977, 
clashes within the left front, within the CPI(M) and with an array of 
electoral and extra-parliamentary opponents (on the left and the right) 
as well as confrontations with ordinary people have left many more dead 
in West Bengal. Violence has been routinely used by the CITU, the 
CPI(M)'s trade union to enforce its writ in Industrial areas. When the 
suffocating tactics of consensus have failed, the Left Front government 
has routinely used official as well as unofficial forms of violence. 
This is a part of everyday life in West Bengal, and anyone with any 
links to the state is very well aware of the micro-managerial 
stranglehold that zonal, block and para committees of the CPI (M) have 
on most aspects of life in that state.

The current conflict in Nandigram, which pits well armed police and CPI 
(M) cadre, acting directly in the interests of Capital against villagers 
and their sympathisers (politically organized as well as those who are 
not necessarily part of organized political formations) is just a 
reminder that in the more than three decades that it has enjoyed power 
in West Bengal, the CPI (M) has become the clone of the Congress.

The same imperial arrogance, the same intemperate use of armed police, 
the same combination of urbane Kolkata sophistication and suburban, 
mofussil, para thuggery. The identical lethal combination of sleaze, 
rhetoric, money, muscle and humbug. The CPI (M) of today, is the perfect 
inheritor of the legacy of the Congress Party in West Bengal. Many 
people in families with a link to the history of the Communist Parties 
in West Bengal would no doubt find themselves waking up to the 
disturbing conclusion that the party that they have had an unthinking, 
emotional relationship with, through good days and bad, has  in fact 
become that arrogant, belligerent, hypocritical other that they had 
grown up to despise.

The metamorphosis of the CPI (M) into its own terrible alterity (as 
manifest in Nandigram) is an occasion for all those who remember 1954, 
1956, 1959 and 1966 to enter into some introspection. What is tragic is 
not just the fact that 14 people have died terrible deaths, but also 
that those ordering the police firing, including Chief Minister 
Buddhadeb Bhattacharya might have actually been once on the other side 
of the barricades.

Three decades after 1977, the CPI (M) in West Bengal is a party without 
a moral backbone, bloated, sad, bankrupt and eager to be in bed with an 
enterprise (the Salim Group) that is itself implicated (historically) in 
bankrolling the masterminds of the genocide of Communists in 1965 in 
Indonesia.

Those of us who continue to consider ourselves claimants to the legacy 
of the International Communist movement (in whichever form) have to add 
another notch on our long list of events and processes that should cause 
introspection.

Kronstadt 1921
The Show Trials of the 1930s in the USSR
The Gulag Experience in the USSR
Berlin 1953
Hungary 1956
Mao's repression of Chinese Communists
Czeckoslovakia 1968
The Declaration of Martial Law in Poland
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Pol Pot
The Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia
The Continued Romance of Bankrupt Authoritarianism in Cuba and North Korea
Tienanmen Square 1989
Nandigram and the Left Front Government in West Bengal

(Everyone can add to this list)

Let us take stock of all this, and then salvage what we can from our 
history for the twenty first century.

In sorrow and solidarity with the people of Nandigram. I am forwarding 
below several fragments of reports (from the Telegraph, the BBC) and 
emails that have come my way this morning, sent by Moinak Biswas in Kolkata.

Shuddha

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1. Red-hand Buddha
14 killed in Nandigram re-entry bid
Telegraph, Kolkata, March 15, 2007

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070315/asp/frontpage/story_7519166.asp

March 14: The Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government’s armed attempt to 
reclaim Nandigram ran into waves of resistance fronted by women, leading 
to the deaths of at least 14 people in police firing.

The police succeeded in entering Nandigram, which villagers opposed to 
land acquisition had turned into a no-entry zone for the administration 
for over two months, but left deep bloodstains on the chief minister’s 
industrialisation campaign.

The police action also gave Mamata Banerjee an opportunity to call a 
12-hour Bengal bandh on Friday, disrupting examination schedules.

The killings drew widespread condemnation, including a grim statement 
from governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi that “the news has filled me with a 
sense of cold horror”. “What is the public purpose served by the use of 
force that we have witnessed today?” he asked.

A huge contingent of police, amassed over the last few days, mounted the 
mission to recapture Nandigram around 10 am today.

Over 1,000 policemen, split into two groups, raced towards Sonachura — 
the theatre of the main battle, around 170 km from Calcutta — from two 
flanks . A 2,000-strong reserve force stood by, waiting to move in once 
the advance party smashed its way though the hurdles.

However, one of the thrust arms came face to face with a wall of 400-500 
women, behind whom stood around 2,000 villagers armed with spears, rods, 
lathis and scythes. Pipe guns, muskets and country-made pistols were 
also in the arsenal.

A convoy of officials and labourers with excavators, road-rollers and 
sandbags trailed the police. One of the objectives of the raid was to 
repair roads dug up by villagers, the ditch becoming a symbol of protest 
against land acquisition. A bomb squad and ambulances made up the rest 
of the caravan.

With the force advancing, a chant rose from the villagers, asking the 
police to “go back”.

The police, led by deputy inspector-general (Midnapore range) N. Ramesh 
Babu, told the villagers over the public address system to move back but 
were greeted by crude bombs and brickbats. Sound of shots was also heard.

Teargas shells were burst and rubber bullets fired but the villagers 
regrouped and surged back, this time without the chain of women 
shielding them.

The police then opened fire, using live ammunition.

“We found the teargas and rubber bullets had little impact on the 
aggressive villagers. They fled but regrouped and started firing at us. 
We had no alternative but to open fire,” an officer said.

Besides the fatalities, at least 75 people were injured — among them a 
dozen policemen.

The number of the dead fluctuated through the day — ranging from six to 
20 — but there was no official word till the evening.

Chief minister Bhattacharjee reached the Assembly to make a statement, 
without realising that the House had adjourned five minutes ago. 
“Whatever I have to say, I will say it in the Assembly tomorrow,” he 
said later.

The onus fell on home secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray to confirm 11 deaths. 
Late tonight, East Midnapore district magistrate Anup Agarwal put the 
toll at 14 and other officials said the figure could rise.

Ward master of the Tamluk hospital, Atal Behari Jana, said 11 bodies, 
including that of a woman, bore bullet injuries. Most injuries were 
either in the stomach or chest.

“The police had to open fire in self-defence. Our force had guns not to 
fight the enemy but to restore peace in Nandigram,” director-general of 
police A.B. Vohra said.

The stated goals — regaining control of Nandigram and ensuring the 
return of CPM families that fled in January — were only partially met 
till late this evening. The police have established their writ in four 
of the six villages and a part of Sonachura but the CPM supporters are 
yet to return.

After calling the bandh, Mamata proceeded towards Nandigram but was 
blocked by CPM supporters. Long-distance private buses were parked 
diagonally on the road.








2. From Nilanjan Hajra

In addition to the protests listed below against Buddhadeb 
Bhattacharjee-led  CPI(M) government's well planned (for over two 
months) and calculated murder (the police IG was constantly in touch 
with the Chief Minister) of at least 20 farmers in Nandigram, the 
following leading theater personalities (as far as I know, there may be 
some more) of West Bengal have resigned from the West Bengal Natya 
Academy, refusing to have any connection with the killers:

Mr. Bibhas Chakraborty
Mr. Monoj Mitra
Mr. Ashoke Mukhopadhyay
Mr. Kaushik Sen
Mr. Bratya Basu

Bratya Basu has written a moving piece in Bengali daily Ek Din on farmer
Haradhan Bag's suicide after losing his land in Singur to the TATA MOTORS.

EK DIN Editor Suman Chattopadhyay in a signed front page Editorial has
compared the Nandigram murder to Jaliwanala Bagh.  West Bengal's 
Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi in his reaction has said, "the news has 
filled me with cold horror" (reproted in all major channels and dailies).

Lawyers in large numbers, irrespective of party affiliations, have taken 
to the streets across West Bengal in protest.

CPI(M) Politbureau Members Biman Bose, Brinda Karat and Sitaram Yechury 
have justified the police action.

We appeal to all human beings to join the protest in whatever possible 
form. Please also forward these mails to as many as you can especially 
outside
West Bengal.

In Solidarity,
Nilanjan Hajra.
Kolkata.
- ------------------------------------------------------
3. A Petition from Sudipta Moitra, Samar Das, Sumit Chowdhury, Rifat 
Mumtaz and Mansi Asher

Dear All,

A situation of terror has been created by the ruling
C.P.M Government and party in Nandigram over the past
few days. The matter reached a head as a huge
contingent of 4000-5000 comprising the Police Force
along with Para-Military, Rapid Action Force and
Combat Commando Force attacked Nandigram in the name
of "Operation Nandigram". This has come as a
repressive measure in the face of protest and local
movement (Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (Committee
to Prevent Farmland Eviction)) by the people of
Nandigram against the forceful land acquisition for
proposed SEZs (Salim Group, Indonesia) in the area.

This is the second instance of violence in the area,
the first being in early January when 6 people were
killed. The last instance was provoked in the wake of
the local adminsitration serving notices for land
acquistion. After country wide crticism and protests
againt the state government, the Chief Minister had
issued a statement that no land would be acquired in
Nandigram if the people are not willing. Despite this
statement government has continued to maintain
pressure in the area through deployment of armed
forces. This clearly shows on whose side the Fascist
West Bengal Government is.

Today, on Wednesday morning the armed forces broke
fire on the people as a result of which 20 people have
been killed and over 200 injured. The State Government
and West Bengal police are still not declaring the
numbers dead and injured. A huge protest movement has
spread accross West Bengal. In every district
rallies,demonstrations, road-blockages are being
organised.In Kolkata a protest in the Rajya-sabha and
other places is going on. National Hawker Federation
and
Hawker Sangram Committee is also strongly condemning
this barbaric fascist action of West Bengal government
and organizing rallies all over Kolkata. Reporters
from all the major media institutions are also being
forcefully stopped from covering and reporting the
reality. Two reporters of TARA BANGLA News were
threatened by CPM party caders and are now missing.

WE APPEAL TO ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY TO
CONDEMN THIS FASCIST MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO
PRESSURISE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO GIVE UP THEIR ONLY
SOURCES OF LIVELIHOODS. WE SEE THIS NANDIGRAM POLICE
FIRING AS A MASS KILLING LED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHO
STANDS ONLY IN SUPPORT OF CAPITALISTS AND ITS OWN
SELFISH INTERESTS.

WE APPEAL TO ALL CONCERNED TO
SEND LETTERS TO THE PRIME MINISTER, PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF MINISTER OF WEST BENGAL CONDEMNING 'OPERATION
NANDIGRAM'
ORGANISE PROTEST MEETINGS AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN OUR
RESPECTIVE CITIES AND REGIONS
SPREAD THE NEWS OF THIS HENIOUS ACT OF THE GOVERNMENT
IN WEST BENGAL
WRITE TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR IMMEDIATE
INTERVENTION
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Sudipta Moitra
International Federation of Hawkers and Urban Poor
National Hawker Federation
Hawker Sangram Committee
16/17 College Street, Kolkata-700012, West Bengal,
India.
Tele/Fax: 91-22196688
Mob: 09433972662.
E-mails: ifhup.secretariat at gmail.com ,
nationalhawkerfederation at gmail.com ,
hawkersangramcommittee at gmail.com ,
sudipta.y2k at gmail.com , saktimghosh at yahoo.com

Samar Das, NAPM - 0943335946

Sumit Chowdhury, NAPM - 09830249430
sumit_chowdhary at yahoo.com

In Solidarity
Rifat Mumtaz and Manshi Asher

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS MAIL WIDELY

----------------------------------

4. BBC News Report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6448749.stm

'Seven die' in India farm clash

At least seven people have died after police in
eastern India fired at farmers protesting at
industrial plans.

Riot police were sent to Nandigram in West Bengal
after protests against land being used for a planned
chemical hub.

Police confirm two deaths. Doctors say five others
died of bullet wounds. Unrest in January claimed six
lives.

Protests have gone on despite the state government
pledging to move the plant elsewhere. New economic
zones are a hugely contentious issue in India.

'Regain control'

Farmers in Nandigram have fiercely resisted the West
Bengal government's plan to acquire farms for a hub
for chemical industries by an Indonesian company.


Six people, including a policemen, died during
protests in the area in January.

Earlier this week, the Communist-led state government
promised to shift the proposed chemical industry hub
out of Nandigram if locals continued to oppose it.

But Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya said the
administration would have to "regain control" over the
area and plans to send in riot police were announced.

Angry farmers along with political workers, belonging
to the state's governing Communist party and the
opposition Trinamul Congress, have dug up roads, burnt
down wooden bridges and attacked government officials
and policemen trying to enter Nandigram during the
past two months.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says it is not
clear why Wednesday's clash happened inspite of
government assurances to the local farmers about their
land.

On Wednesday morning, nearly 5,000 policemen set out
to take control in Nandigram when protesting farmers
prevented government and the police from entering the
area.

Police officials say they ran into fierce resistance
from thousands of farmers, both men and women, at the
village of Bankaberia.



'Lawlessness'

Senior West Bengal official Prasad Ranjan Roy said the
police fired tear gas shells to break up the protests,
and then fired and charged through the protesting
crowd when they came under attack.


"Nandigram has descended into lawlessness and no
government can simply be inactive," he said.

Eyewitnesses say the local hospital is teeming with
injured persons, many of them with bullet wounds.

The Trinamul Congress has called for a statewide
strike on Friday to protest against the police firing.


Two allies of the Communist party have said the police
action was "most unfortunate".

The issue of farm land acquisition has generated much
emotion in West Bengal in the past few months.

The government's move to allot 1,000 acres of land to
industrial giant, Tata Motors, to build a car factory
in the Singur area in Hooghly district generated
widespread protests.

State governments in India are acquiring large tracts
of land to set up special economic zones (SEZs) to
push up employment and earnings.

The federal government reckons that SEZs will bring in
$13.5bn in investment and create 890,000 jobs by 2009
if the ambitious plan is allowed to proceed.

Critics say this is destined to become the biggest
land grab in post-colonial India, given the lack of
transparency and rampant corruption in government.



Are you a farmer in West Bengal? Do you have relatives
or friends who are affected by the industrialisation
there? Use the form below to send us your experiences
and reaction:



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