Party letter to MPs justifies violence

Blames Trinamool, Congress for situation

NEW DELHI: Even as National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice S Rajendra Babu slammed the West Bengal government for the Nandigram violence terming it as one of the "worst scars" on the face of the nation, the CPI(M) on Monday dispatched an open letter to all MPs in its bid to counter anti-party propaganda.

Terming the situation in Bengal “grave”, the NHRC chairperson said "Nandigram and Godhra were severe assaults on the face of democracy. It is shameless how human rights were violated”.

Justice Babu said he will talk to the West Bengal chief secretary to assess the situation in Nandigram. "I can't comment on the government action or inaction. What they have done or will do is not for me to comment. I will only say it is tragic to see a thing happening in our country.”

But the CPI(M) letter in the form of a 15-page booklet attempted to present “a factual picture” and justify the violence in Nandigram. The party blamed the Trinamool Congress, the Congress, the SUCI, Naxalites, Jamait-I-ulama-e-hind, BJP and some foreign-funded NGOs" who came together on a common platform called Bhumi Uched Pratirodh Committee for the violence.

The letter stated that though the state government dropped the idea of constructing a Petrochemical and  Petroleum Investment Region (PCPIR) in the area as early as February, a “false campaign” was carried out to create panic among locals in Nandigram.