Author: Pranesh Sarkar in Basapara
(Birbhum)
Publication: The Statesman
Date: April 18, 2003
Two main accused in the Nanoor massacre
of 11 landless farmers on 27 July 2000 have filed nominations as CPI-M
candidates for the panchayat polls. They were released on bail two years
ago along with most of the 81 persons who were charge-sheeted by the police.
Police, however, failed to arrest three of the accused. Trinamul leaders
allege all the accused in the massacre, including the fugitives, have now
resurfaced and taken charge of the CPI-M's election machinery in parts
of Birbhum.
Mr Nitya Chatterjee and Mr Manirujjaman,
the accused who are now candidates, have been rewarded by their party for
killing landless farmers, said district Trinamul leaders. The two were
not available for comment. CPI-M district secretary Mr Dilip Ganguly admitted
the accused were official party candidates, saying: "They are accused only,
and not convicted... please keep this in mind".
Mr Abdul Karim, Trinamul candidate
against Mr Manirujjaman, said: "They have spread red terror in the area,
but police could not 'find' them". Mr Madhusudan Pal, Trinamul nominee
against Mr Chatterjee, said all the accused have been brought out by the
CPI-M to pave the way for these candidates' victories. "We have lodged
complaints, but nothing has come of it." Just after the massacre CPI-M
leaders said those killed were dacoits. A few days later they admitted
that the dead were landless farmers, but that they were killed over a land
dispute.
