NHRC asks for factual report from Chief Secretary and DGP, West Bengal on violence in Nandigram

New Delhi March 15, 2007

The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP, West Bengal asking for factual report on the police violence in Nandigram. Taking suo-motu cognizance of newspaper reports the Commission said, if the contents are true they raise a serious issue of violation of Human Rights of the citizens.

The report published in the "Asian Age" today, said that the decision of the West Bengal Government to send a huge contingent of police to Nandigram, led to the killing of at least 11 people in police firing yesterday. According to the newspaper report, at least 5,000 strong police force encircled Nandigram from two points- Bhangaberia and Tekhali. The police reportedly cautioned the villagers against offering any resistance to their entry. The report also mentioned that according to Trinamul Congress President the number of dead may rise to as high as 50.

A report in the "Indian Express" also mentioned that 11 persons were killed when they were opposing acquisition of farmland for industries. The report also said that the State Governor had expressed the view that the use of force in Nandigram could have been avoided.

The Commission has given two weeks time to the Chief Secretary and DGP for the factual report and has asked them to indicate as to whether any ex-gratia relief has been provided to the next of the kin of the deceased.
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