'War Against People'

Latest reports from Nandigram at this midnight hourcause the gravest concernover a warlike situation unfolding due the presence ofthousands of CPM cadressurrounding Nandigram from at least three sides. Theyare openly announcing onmikes that they will enter and capture the area tonight (5-6th Nov. night).

The presence and support to this attack by senior mostpolice officers indicatepolitical position of the West Bengal Govt., and thatof the CPM, to say theleast. They are armed and confident of recapturing thearea. The situationthreatens to get completely out of hand. Many liveshave already been lost, andmore blood threatens to flow amidst this newlyunfolding situation. The peopleof Nandigram claim their rights to self defense andsurvival. They also seem tobe prepared for resistance with whatever meansavailable. We fear that this maylead to serious and unprecedented bloodshed. It isdoubtful if the Govt. ofWest Bengal will be willing to stop this violence.

We therefore urge the Centre to intervene immediatelyand put a full stop tothis war against people and violence on either side.

We also demand everypolitical move to compel the Govt. of West Bengal andthe ruling party towithdraw the gherao around Nandigram, and desist fromstrangulating the people,women, children who are desperately resisting anyterritorial onslaught and areasserting their right to land and livelihood. 

Weappeal to all our supportersand the civil society at large to take appropriateaction here and now, and atleast the following:

i) Write to the President, the Prime Minister, HomeMinister demandingimmediate intervention

ii) Write to the Chief Minister of West Bengal to liftthe siege of fromNandigram and immediately ask the party cadres tobehave well

iii) Send teams to the area for raising the voice ofpeace and support peoplein this critical situation

iv) Issue statements to bring pressure on theconcerned Govt. to actimmediately.

v) Please Phone and Fax NHRC regarding the gravity ofthe situation

vi) Organise protests wherever possible

vii) Any other action you may deem fit.Your urgent action is solicited in this hour oftrauma.