Nandigram agitation will end: Shahi Imam

KOLKATA: The agitation at Nandigram would end as the West Bengal government has decided against acquiring farmland for industry there, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said on Monday.

Bukhari, who met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for 70 minutes at the state secretariat, said he had been assured that the government was taking adequate administrative steps to ensure return of those rendered homeless at Nandigram in violence.

"There is no need for anymore agitation."

He said that the Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind's five month agitation for the cause of the Nandigram farmers had succeeded in forcing the state government to concede the demand of not acquiring land there any further.

Reposing confidence in the state government, he said, "It is my view that the West Bengal government is secular and sees all religious faiths on par and I have confidence in it.

"The March 14 incident at Nandigram was unfortunate and the chief minister while expressing regret maintained that the police of his state were not trigger happy."

Bukhari said he would visit Nandigram on Tuesday to visit the affected and reach the chief minister's assurance to them.

The Shahi Imam said he had also discussed the Sachar Committee report with the chief minister, who assured him about proper representations of Muslims in the public service commission and in the school service commission.

As per the report, there was less than two per cent representation of Muslims in government service in West Bengal, he said.

"I have the confidence that this government takes care of Muslims and treats all in an equal manner," he said.

Asked if he would meet Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, he said, "I have no problem in meeting her if there is a request from her side."