NGO writes to Governor to postpone polls

Express News Service Posted: May 08, 2008 at 0110 hrs
Kolkata, May 7 Ganamukti Parishad, an NGO, has urged Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi to countermand the panchayat polls in disturbed areas.

In a letter to Gandhi, the NGO has alleged that the ruling CPM is bent on engaging in an exercise that was more “physical than electoral.” Citing the recent examples of rape and murder, the NGO stated that instead of bringing new hope, the ensuing panchayat elections have resulted in more violence that indicates the “total collapse” of law and order in the state. According to the organisation, Nandigram — that has been witnessing incidents of arson, loot, murder and rape since the chemical hub was proposed there —- is once again the scene of worst pre-poll violence. Some 35 candidates and numerous voters have reportedly fled their homes after their voter ID cards were snatched.

The organisation has said that with Nandigram getting bloodier by the day, it would not be wise to have elections, as it would unleash more terror.