Nandigram Update

State Government Withdraws Police

CNN-IBN reports that the state government on Monday ordered the shifting of police camps from Nandigram. The shifting of police camps has already begun at Sonachura and Adhikarypara, the two trouble spots in Nandigram block-I, where the police had opened fire on March 14.

Arrested Persons Confess to CPI-M Links

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui reports in The Telegraph that the ten persons arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have confessed that they were on a CPI-M mission and their telephone records reveal that they were in touch with top party functionaries:

"The Telegraph got access to a copy of their statements recorded by Khejuri police and submitted in the Contai fast-track court of the judicial magistrate, which today remanded them in police custody till March 22.

“We were brought a few days ago by the leaders of a political party to attack the villagers and occupy areas in Nandigram. The leaders provided us arms and ammunition and arranged for our stay in three rooms inside the brick kiln at Sher Khan Chowk,” said the statement of Manoranjan Maity alias Badal, 38, one of the 10 arrested yesterday.

While the statements do not name the “political party”, the inspector-general of police (western range), Arun Gupta, said: “They have told us they are CPM activists.”

Along with arms and ammunition, CPM flags and helmets of the kind worn by police were seized from the hideout, triggering suspicion that the men had donned uniforms and joined security forces on the day of the firing. Cellphones found on them showed they were in touch with senior CPM leaders, sources said."

Protesters Allege Rape by Security Forces

Two women have filed a formal complaint with police alleging that some of its personnel raped them during the Nandigram violence last week. The two women, who are under treatment at the Tamluk hospital presently, have recorded their statement before a police officer. The victims, both housewives aged 27 years and 25 years, alleged that some police personnel cornered them during the melee after the firing at Sonachura village on March 14 and raped them. (Source: DNA)