Immediate Release:

AID Statement on the Nandigram Violence

Concerned NRIs Condemn the Violence and Assault on Social Activists

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Volunteers and supporters of the Association for India’s Development (AID) from the Indian diaspora across 40 chapters in the US are horrified and appalled at the barbaric violence being unleashed in Nandigram (East Midnapur district, West Bengal ) by CPI (M) party cadres in collusion with the state machinery.

We condemn in the strongest terms, the unconstitutional, undemocratic and uncivilized ‘capture’ of the villages by armed CPI (M) cadres. People from scores of villages have been forced to flee their homes after incessant attacks by the armed cadres and made refugees in their own land. These people are now living in makeshift camps in a nearby school, without access to basic amenities. Reports from our partners in the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) estimate the total number of people killed in the violence to be between 100 and 150.

The state has been consistently abrogating its functions by first trying to set up a SEZ without informing the people who would be affected and then unleashing lethal force on democratic opposition by the people on March 14, 2007 . The recent take-over of villages by party cadres who have no administrative jurisdiction is completely illegal and unconstitutional. It is appalling to see the Chief Minister of the state coming out in defense of such hooliganism with incendiary phrases as “[being] paid back in their own coin”.

We strongly condemn the assault by armed CPI (M) cadres on reputed social activists, film-makers, writers, musicians, and journalists, led by Medha Patkar, who were trying to visit Nandigram to provide relief and express their solidarity with the thousands of villagers forcibly evicted from their homes.

While armed criminals backed by the ruling party have been able to freely unleash a reign of terror in Nandigram, the restrictions posed on the free movement of media-persons and social-activists into the area, is a blot on the most fundamental democratic principles enshrined in the constitution.

Concerned by the mounting violence and the collusion on part of the state, close to 100 NRIs have filed Right to Information applications to the Indian Embassy at Washington DC, demanding, among other things, information on the number of people killed or injured in the current spate of violence since November 4; the number of police force deployed in the area; the actions taken by the government to restore peace, provide relief, rehabilitate the displaced villagers, and book the criminals who perpetrated the ghastly acts of violence and those who blocked the entry of media-persons and CRPF jawans in Nandigram; and the status of land-acquisition and the SEZ project in the area.

·   We demand that the CPI(M) leadership, both at the Centre and in the State immediately put a stop to the undemocratic actions let loose by their cadres.

·   We demand that the State government immediately provide food and relief to the displaced villagers, ensure their safe return to the villages and provide adequate support for their rehabilitation.

·   We demand that they convey their sincere apology to the people of Nandigram and to the group of citizens led by Medha Patkar who were trying to visit the area.

·   We demand that the state government facilitate free movement of the people into Nandigram, ensure safe and free access to media, and facilitate an independent fact-finding mission composed of concerned citizens to visit the area.

·   We demand that central agencies investigate the cause behind the violence, identify the people in the state administration responsible for the government’s complete failure to act and bring the criminals to justice.