India

West Bengal CM to Reopen 2001 Chhoto Angaria and 2007 Nandigram Cases

By HT Correspondent

At least five supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) were killed in a house in Chhoto Angaria on 4 January 2001, allegedly by CPI(M) cadres. West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday that he would reopen the cases related to the 2001 Chhoto Angaria massacre and the 2007 Nandigram firing, which together left about 19 people dead. "I would reopen the cases against those involved in Chhoto Angaria (massacre) in 2001 and the ones who went to Nandigram to carry out a bloody Suryoday (Sunshine) after collecting firearms from the CPIM’s party office at Garhbeta in West Midnapore. Not a single accused will be spared," he said while addressing a BJP rally at Garhbeta.

On 14 March 2007, at least 14 villagers were killed in police firing at Nandigram during an anti‑land acquisition movement. Later that year, clashes erupted again when alleged CPI(M) workers attempted to reclaim lost ground in what became known as "Operation Sunrise".

Adhikari also asked the West Midnapore SP to track down former CPI(M) leader Tapan Ghosh, saying, "I want to see him in the jail." Ghosh and Sukur Ali were prominent CPI(M) leaders whose names surfaced in several cases of political violence. Both were acquitted in the Chhoto Angaria case in 2009 by a court in Midnapore.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty responded to Adhikari’s remarks, saying, "Communist leaders are made of different material. Adhikari is not eligible enough to understand this. Like his predecessor, Adhikari too wants the police to act according to his whimsies and not follow the law. That’s why he is directing the police that he wants Ghosh to see in jail. If he has the guts let him send them (CPI(M) leaders) to jail."