www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

Left should bear responsibility for Nandigram: NHRC

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Feb 09, 2008 at 1518 hrs IST

New Delhi, February 9: In a severe indictment of the Left Front regime in West Bengal for ‘failing’ to prevent the violence in Nandigram, the NHRC has said the state government should bear the responsibility for the loss of life and property following the attack.

"Since the state government does not appear to have discharged its primary obligation in preventing the attack by CPM cadres, it should bear the responsibility for the loss of life and property following the attack," the NHRC said in its report on the incident.

The report of the investigation by a three-member team of the Commission headed by NHRC Chairperson S Rajendra Babu highlighted the gravity of the incident, noting that it visited rife-torn area in ‘very difficult circumstances and when the situation was tense’.

"Communication with the local people was also difficult, being still under the trauma of riots and violence," said the report, while giving elaborate details of entire episode.

The NHRC observed that while local police started losing control over the law and order situation gradually in the area, the villagers were instigated by different political parties to fight against the government policy.

Making observations on the incident, the NHRC said agriculture being the only source of livelihood for the farmers, compensation or any other land can be given to them or they should be relocated or be linked to the project for which the land is acquired.

Critical of the ruling Left Front government's role in tackling the situation, the NHRC said, "the party in power should always be alive to its constitutional obligation to rule without favour and prejudice and never encourage or connive with the illegal activities of its supporters."

"The police and the bureaucracy should keep themselves aloof from political influence. Alignment with the party in power results in erosion of public trust which leads to unavoidable misery," it said.

On the Opposition's role, the NHRC said it has a right to highlight the failures of the government and it may take recourse to peaceful agitation, but it should in no case encourage people to indulge in unlawful activities.

The rights panel while praising the role of the press in highlighting the atrocities on the people, said it failed to emphasise that the blockade of a large area of Nandigram by the agitators was unconstitutional.

The Commission has also set up a committee headed by NHRC Secretary General A K Jain to suggest compensation regarding damage that occurred and to ensure that the monetary relief does not fall in wrong hands but goes to genuine victims.

"The enquiry team of the Commission has found that after the incidents of November six, 2007 several houses of BUPC supporters have been occupied by CPM cadres, demanding compensation," the report said.

Observing that the compensation offered by the state government for damaged houses appears quite inadequate, the rights panel has sought its enhancement.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Nation observes first anniversary of 26/11

26/11 anniversary: Holes to plug before the city is safe

'People have judged what happened during Babri demolition'

No rules violated in giving visa to Rana: Indian Consul General

Told Obama how China is asserting itself: PM

Needed: Photos of Sonia, PM every 25 km of national highway

Trinamool-CPM clash leaves one dead, 6 injured

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map