ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-E-MUSHAWARAT

D-250, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025 Ph: 26946780 Fax: 26947346

Email: muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in. Web: www.mushawarat.com

Statement

Shocked & Distressed at the Tragedy of Nandigram

AIMMM Rejects Rationalisation of Reign of Terror

State Government does Not Understand Difference between State and Government and between Government and Party

Calls for Withdrawal of Party Cadre, Registration of FIR’s, Full Compensation for the Victims  & Rehabilitation of the Displaced

New Delhi: 16 Nov.2007 :Syed Shahabuddin, President All India Muslim-Majlis-e-Mushawarat has issued the following statements:

‘The AIMMM expresses its deep shock and distress at the tragic happenings in Nandigram and totally rejects the stand of the Chief Minister of West Bengal justifying invasion and brutal pillage of the area by the armed cadre of the CPI (M), displacing thousands from their homes and imposing a reign of terror on the people.

      The AIMMM feels that if the Government of West Bengal had come to the conclusion that anti-social forces had taken over the area and completely undermined the law and order machinery and that Nandigram was virtually in a state of insurgency and rebellion, it should have tried first the police force and then the state armed constabulary to restore law and order and if that failed, requested the Central government for urgent assistance in the form of Central paramilitary forces and the Army if necessary for pacifying the area and restoring the writ of the state. But the State government made a request to the Centre for assistance only on 27 October and, in the meantime, let loose the CPI(M) cadre, even without consulting the other members of the Left Front and taking them into confidence.

The AIMMM is of the considered view that the Government of West Bengal has not only shown absolute disregard for the Constitution but its inability to understand the difference between the State and the Government, on one hand, and between the Government and the Party, on the other, in a Democracy. This is a bad omen for the future of Democracy in our country.

In the circumstances, the AIMMM appreciates the humane intervention by Governor Gopal Gandhi, in other to awaken the government to its constitutional duty and responsibility of protecting the people from political or criminal violence.

The AIMMM feels that if some political forces opposed to the creation of the proposed SEZ in Nandigram had continued their agitation even after the cancellation of the proposal, the State government was duty bound to invite them for political negotiation for securing their cooperation in restoring normal life in the area.

The AIMMM calls upon the State Government to make special arrangements for registering the FIRs by those who have suffered loss of life, honour and property and for investigating the charges, identifying the culprits and prosecuting them. It must also compensate the victims fully for their loss and rehabilitate these displaced in a time-bound manner.

Above all, the State government should immediately withdraw the armed cadre of the CPI(M) party so that the displaced may return to their homes in dignity and live in security.

Sd/ Syed Shahabuddin

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Authorized for Publication:

New Delhi,                                                                  (Abdul Waheed)

16 November, 2007                                                   Office Secretary