[Reader-list] Nandigram: Only peace is future....

[prakash ray]

Men and women of Nandigram, who had to desert their homes leaving all behind
have returned. They are looking towards a life of being united with parents,
spouses and children. They are trying to plant poles again just to live
under shade and have at least once a day food to eat. A section of people
has started dreaming the work of repair and reconstruction to be started by
the Panchayet, the schools to reopen, markets and shops to run, health
centers to operate, are in a spirit of doubt of reasons not known. The
Hindus expect to lit the evening diyas and the mosque Imam to chant Aajan.

But tragedy has its black shadow still hanging over Nandigram, the smoke of
disaster has not yet been off from the air. The harmads of Maoists and
members of the BUPC along with the TMC activists before leaving certain
zones of Sonachura, Garchakraberia, Adhikaripara etc planted mines,
explosives in a scattered way and made arrangements for remote operation.

The devices have taken lives and injured a lot of home coming people. A
number of people are still dwindling in schools, college or simply in fields
under tents. A great portion of these people, most of which are CPIM
sympathizers, are anxiously waiting to join the work of developmental
activities and to restore peace. Much of this chaos to terrorize people with
the deliberate intention of usurping lands from the real landowners was
really inhuman. It was simply useless to take resort to areas and ignoring
administration, create disquiet taking hold of law and order in their own
hands when the Chief Minister himself declared that no question of land
acquisition would arise when no chemical hub would be setup at Nandigram,
since the people in general did not have a consent. So what it the reason of
the agitation of defending the land by BUPC?

So long there prevailed lawlessness and riots, torture, molestation on
women, looting, destroying property and killing lives continued for long 11
months at a stretch. The poor peasants having small plots of croplands have
been sitting idle gazing at their lands filled with weeds with their
implements getting rusted. It was decided in a joint meeting with the
administration along with the TMC leaders and land saviours committee
members that the deceased in the 14th March incident would be given
compensation and proper steps would be taken against the offending police
officers if found guilty, and that would be in consonance with the High
court order.

By this time, a few of the police officers were transfered. It was resolved
that the government would start the work of development, health, education,
100 day employment generation scheme would again start moving, the panic
stricken people driven out from Nandigram and Khejuri would be taken back to
their own homes, the lawsuits excepting murder and rapes would be withdrawn
according to the demands of the BUPC patronized by TMC, Maoists, SUCI and
others having only self-interest.

But the actual scenario is otherwise. The Panchayet chiefs were not allowed
to work, even to open the office, they had been forced to write that they
wouldn't start working. Otherwise they were threatened that there will be
false allegation of corruption against them. So the ray of hope was again
nipped in the bud. The TMC supporters were allowed in but not others. At
last the peoples unity won the game, they got back facing an armed
resistance.

The arms had to bow down before mass and the government got the way to
implement the process of reconstruction, its a victory of the people of
Nandigram. Now the responsibility lies with the BUPC and the TMC to remove
the armed Maoists from the area of Nandigram.

The activists of the CPIM have now a greater responsibility. They have
proved that power lies with the people and not guns. People have suffered a
lot for the last 11 months. They are distressed with the pain of having to
see the deaths of their near and dear ones. They have suffered cruelty in
the hands of BUPC. But, they need to wipe their tears, and rebuild a new
Nandigram with a broken heart. Even a single incident of violence against a
human being will show them in good spirits.

Men and women of Nandigram, Your victory is a glorious tribute to many
activists and villagers who laid down their lives in the hands of BUPC
violence. Shankar Samanta and a few others were killed with medieval
cruelty, cruel torture on Sumita Mondal, have kindled fire in your hearts.
We all need to be beside these families, with all possible help. We all need
to start the normal functioning of Panchayats. Poor people must not get
divided because of political colours.

People from all over are saluting you. Red salute to the people of
Nandigram. Your sacrifice, your struggle, your victory have created a new
chapter in the glorious history of the left democratic struggle.