Left Front puts Nandigram land acquisition on hold

While a section of LF leaders claimed that the decision could affect industrialisation, others felt it was a “temporary setback”. Once projects like Tata Motors in Singur roll, “the mindset of people would change,” they said.

However, CM Buddhadev Bhattacharya had to bow under pressure from CPI (M)’s allies, CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc, who had been critical of the CM’s policy.

At today’s meeting, the LF decided to withdraw police from Nandigram in phases. It was also decided that all allies would be taken into confidence for future SEZ projects. With this, the crisis of allies threatening to pull out over police action at Nandigram, seemed to have blown over.

Asked whether the decision would stall industrialisation of WB, RSP MP Abani Roy told FE: “The decision at this juncture does not concern the entire state and is confined only to Nandigram.”

A majority of those who have taken up arms in Nandigram against the LF were once hardcore CPI (M) cadre.

The state government has reports that illegal Bangladeshi migrants have trickled into parts of rural Bengal, including Nandigram, over the years, and settled down as sharecroppers with the help of local Left leaders. Though a majority of these immigrants became tillers, they lacked documents to prove the ownership of land.

Life in Nandigram, located on the south

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