600 MUSLIMS AND DALITS KILLED AT NANDIGRAM

President All India Confederation of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, Dr. Udit Raj has claimed that more than 600 Muslims and Dalits were killed in Nandigram during the last week. His claim is based on the reports of his organisation along with information from West Bengal Unit of Indian Justice Party. He said that SEZ has been established in this area mainly because there is majority of Muslims and Dalits in Nandigram. He asked as to why media and social workers were not allowed in this area. Many artists marched in protest against Nandigram tragedy. This march included front-rank artists and intellectuals like Mrinal Sen and Rita Parto Ghosh. Another dharna was organised to protest against this tyranny at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. Meanwhile Congress tried to clarify its position that it is going soft about Left government of West Bengal because of a sudden change in the position of Left Parties about Indo-American nuclear pact. Congress interpreter and Central Minister Shakil Ahmad told media that there was no connection between Nandigram tragedy and nuclear pact. He stated that Nandigram tyranny and Gujarat genocide were equally condemnable but still he will not favour the demand for resignation of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee because resignation is not the solution of every untoward incident. CPI accepted that to stop violence in Nandigram the W.B government’s action was not proper and whatever has happened is a painful matter. Mr. Dasgupta said that the image of government has been damaged by mishandling of the situation at Nandigram since armed gangs were moving freely and local bodies are not permitted to interfere. These gangs even attacked a local CPI- MLA.