Bengal govt to distribute vested Nandigram land to party supporters

Fresh violence was sparked in the area over the weekend over a survey being done to identify vested land. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is scheduled to distribute title deeds or pattas to landless farmers on Tuesday at a ceremony in Nandigram College. And the list of lucky farmers has been drawn up by the local CPM leadership, with the District Magistrate merely rubber-stamping it.

The party leaders of the district claim it is but natural to help the administration in identify beneficiaries, since the CPM rules the Panchayat Samiti in Nandigram.

The situation once again prompted violent clashes from Sunday. Sporadic clashes continued on Monday between supporters of Bhumi Uchched Protirodh Committee and the CPM, injuring over a dozen people. Four critically-injured ones were brought to the SSKM hospital.

Security is tight in view of the Chief Minister's visit, said Inspector General (Western Range) Rakesh Gupta. Nearly 700 policemen will man Bhattacharjee's route as well as the Nandigram College ground, which is the venue for patta distribution, he added.

The Trinamool Congress-led BUPC took out rallies in various areas marking their day-long bandh in protest of alleged attacks from CPM.

Anup Agarwal, District Magistrate of East Midnapore said the administration had initially earmarked 450 acres of vested land to be distributed by the CM. “But the survey could be completed for only 224.97 acres. Regarding the list of recipients, we received some recommendations from Panchayat leadership, some of which were duly considered. We are working on the list of recipients, which will come up to be around 2,000.” Agarwal held meetings with district officials over the issue today.

The land survey undertaken by both block development officer and block land revenue officer in February encompassed all areas under Nandigram Block I, Block 2 and Khejuri.

Initially, 250 acres were earmarked for distribution to landless peasants. But during the survey, public opposition disrupted survey and only 224.97 acres were chosen as “clean” vested land. The problem rose since some of the land had occupants and even houses built on it.

The CPM leadership dismissed all allegations and blamed the Trinamool Congress for creating trouble.

“We are the elected representatives and are responsible for forwarding names. Everything was done on a neutral point of view. The government cannot ask for names from each and every villager,” said Ashok Bera, Panchayat Samiti Sabhadhipati of Nandigram Block I and a local CPM leader.

“The Trinamool is losing its base here because of development work and therefore attacking our cadres in a fit of frustration,” he said.

The BUPC raised questions both on the recent survey as well as the process of selecting recipients.

On March 1, BUPC submitted a deputation to the District Magistrate and block development officer protesting against the recipient list. Sisir Adhikary, district Trinamool Congress leader, said no one knows what kind of survey was undertaken and why. “We want the state government to review the list of landless needy farmers. The list was prepared by CPM leaders in the party office. It has the names of only their supporters. Since the Panchayat elections are coming, they are trying to consolidate their base here,” said Adhikary.