Author: Saket Sundria
Publication: The Statesman
Date: November 19, 2007
In a move that seems to substantiate longstanding
apprehensions of the villagers and BUPC activists in Nandigram, the state
government today changed the deployment of CRPF in a manner that will help
the activities of rampaging CPI-M cadres. CRPF officers complained yesterday
about the state police's non-cooperation.
The change in CRPF deployment took place after
DGP Mr AB Vohra visited the area today. Mr Vohra held a two-hour meeting with
local police officers, including the SP and ASP and CRPF officers.
He reached Nandigram around 11 a.m. and was
locked in discussions with the officers and CRPF DIG Mr Alok Raj till 1 p.m.
Mr Raj, however, was not present during the second half of the meeting.
After the meeting, Mr Vohra ordered the change
in deployment, which was done for "operational reasons". The CRPF
camp in one of the most affected villages, Mahespur, has been shifted to Pakhai
in Khejui. Mahespur is one of the villages where several incidents of violence
have been reported and villagers have been complaining about CPI-M atrocities.
Another camp, which was scheduled for Rajaramchak, has been shifted to Jelingham,
a village which is relatively unaffected and is far from the war-zone.
A proposed camp in Takapura, located near
Talpati canal, has been shifted to Tengua, a village located near Nandigram
town. Takapura bore the brunt of CPI-M attacks during the recent flare up.
Another CRPF camp is being planned in Terapekha, which is located near Nandigram
town but is opposite the affected area. Mr Raj's absence from the second half
of the meeting raised eyebrows. The villagers seem to be even more scared
now. IG Mr Raj Kanojia said the DG took stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, the BJP is planning to raise the
Nandigram issue in Parliament tomorrow to corner the government and its allies.
