The plan to recapture Nandigram was drawn [about] two weeks back in a meeting between two top CPM leaders from East and West Midnapore. An MP from East Midnapore and a state minister from West Midnapore were also present at the meet. The main point of discussion was how to bring back Nandigram, out of bounds for CPM supporters for the last 11 months. Armed men were used from at least three districts?West Midnapore, Bankura and North 24 Parganas?for ?Operation Nandigram? to flush out the opposition.
The first attempt to re-enter the villages and oust Bhumi Uchchhed Pratirodh Committee supporters, who had held fort since early 2007, was made on March 14. The operation was conducted mainly by state police and did not bring the desired result. CPM had to go on the backfoot following widespread protests after the March 14 massacre. Since then no CPM leader has been able to set foot there.
The party?s East Midnapore district unit was under pressure from its supporters in Nandigram who were forced to flee to Khejuri. Despite talk of peace and aborted attempts to make the refugees return to the villages, the guns along the Nandigram-Khejuri border were hardly ever silent. Leaders from both the districts had to set aside their differences to sort out the problem. The CPM could not afford to let Nandigram remain out of its control till next year?s panchayat polls.
Also, the West Midnapore district unit has the experience of leading such an operation?Keshpur?in 2000.
On November 4, local DYFI unit held a meeting at Heria where it pledged to send back its homeless supporters to their villages. Two days before that, the process of withdrawing police from the trouble spot had begun.
Cadres for the operation were drawn from Chandrakona and Garbeta zonal committees. Also, cadres were sent from Narayangarh and Keshiary areas. Another group of around 250 armed CPM supporters came from the villages of Punishol, Rajpur and Taldangra…. Most of these people are suspected of running arms smuggling rackets. The arms used in the operation are believed to have been supplied by them. Another cache of arms came from Purulia where party workers had received arms to combat Maoists..
?Nandigram Lal Salaam nandigramlalsalam.blogspot.com