Left should bear responsibility for Nandigram: NHRC

"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.