The observer appointed by the West Bengal State Election Commission for Sunday’s Panchayat elections in Nandigram has called the situation there “grim and beyond normalcy.” His report sent to the Commission last night, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, contradicts what Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee claimed this afternoon that an “atmosphere of peace” has been restored in Nandigram and reports about violence were “largely rumours.”
The observer, Sujit Dasgupta, an IAS officer, visited Nandigram Block 1 yesterday and has given a detailed account of what he calls the atmosphere of panic and fear. “I found that the people in the camps beside the (BDO’s) office were shifted to their houses in phases with Force (CRPF), but after some time, it was reported that at Garchakraberia, bombing and firing started by CPM people on even the CRPF. Apart from this, incidents of attack and of untoward nature were also reported at different spots/villages throughout Nandigram — Block 1, e.g. Banashree Gouri, Satengabari, (of Nandigram Block- II) beside Gokulnagar GP, Sonachura GP, Kalicharanpur GP, etc. One person was arrested with arms...”
Dasgupta’s report noted: “The situation throughout Nandigram — Block I is grim and beyond normalcy. The Trinamool and Bhoomi Uchched Pratirodh Committee supporters felt panicked and asked for their security and proper legal action (with arrest) against errant miscreants...They have also demanded to close Nandigram-Khejuri border and seizure of illegal arms. They have also demanded that CRPF be given independent powers to control the situation and adequate arrangements for free and fair election in the Block.”
When asked about the report, Secretary to the West Bengal State Election Commission S N Roy Chowdhury said: “I will not disclose the observer’s report. It is under the consideration of the Commission.” He, however, confirmed that he had been in touch with Dasgupta till late last night.
