The operation that lasted three days — from November 7 to 10 — had left at least 11 TMC supporters dead and thousands homeless. While the district administration had confirmed the death of eight people, five are still missing. The case is exceptional because normally the government does not pay compensation to the families of those who die in political clashes.

“We had to make an exception because the NHRC mounted pressure on us. Besides giving compensation for the deaths, we will compensate for house damages as well. In future, though, we will consider deaths in political clashes on a case-to-case basis,” State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told The Indian Express.

Officials said Rs 1 lakh will be awarded to the next of kin of the dead, while Rs 20,000 will be given to those whose houses were totally damaged and Rs 10,000 to those whose houses were partialy damaged. No decision has been taken on compensating those who were injured during the clashes.

The “recapture” of Nandigram by armed CPM goons had evoked severe criticism from all quarters, with the then Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi denouncing it as “trampling of democracy” and “murder of human rights”.