Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the West Bengal government to take note of the "spontaneous outpouring" of grief and anguish over Nandigram incidents.
ONBOARD PM's SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: Doing some plain talking on violence in Nandigram, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the West Bengal government to ensure effective deployment of security forces and protection for all sections of population irrespective of political affiliations.
In his first public remarks on the issue, he also appeared to lend support to the demand that it be discussed in Parliament.
As Parliament lay paralysed for the second day on the issue, Singh told reporters accompanying him on his visit to Singapore that he hoped the state government would be able to take necessary steps to restore the confidence of the people through the effective deployment of security forces.
"It is the duty of the State government to ensure that all sections of the population, regardless of their political views and affiliations, are entitled to and do receive protection of law enforcement authorities," he said.
He said events in Nandigram have taken "a most unfortunate turn" and condoled the loss of lives and regretted the destruction of property.
"I understand the spontaneous outpouring of grief and anguish over the issue as expressed by artistes and intellectuals in Kolkata," Singh said, adding he hoped the state government would take note of it.
"I have asked the Home Minister to be in touch with the Chief Minister. And as Parliament is in session I do not wish to say anything more," he said.
It was unusual for the Prime Minister to read out a prepared text on being asked for his assessment on the situation in Nandigram where security forces have been rushed in the wake of heightened tension over recapturing of villages by CPI-M cadres. There are also allegations that the Marxist-led government was not properly using the CRPF personnel sent to the area.
On Parliament discussing the issue, Singh said "this matter that should be discussed in Parliament. The Presiding Officers of both the houses are looking at how such a discussion can be facilitated, under what rule, etc. I would not like to comment further while I am out of the country."
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