Non-violence was challenged by violence when CPM supporters unleashed an unprecedented human massacre to repress the voices of people who are asserting their rights over their lands and villages.

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The Bhoomi Uchched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) today carried out two peace rallies simultaneously, one from Sonachura and the other from Nandigram. About 15,000 people participated in the rally from Sonachura. Nearly 10,000 were in the rally from Nandigram. They had informed the local Police Station, Administration, President, Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi about it, but of no avail.

While the fast in Kolkata was going on, the news reached around 3 p.m. that the peaceful, unarmed procession had been fired upon. The firing was NOT by police forces. The number of people hurt or dead is extremely varied in the different reports we are receiving. 45 deaths have been confirmed so far but the final tally may be in hundreds as dead bodies are being removed by the murderers themselves. It is impossible to find out how many are killed.

As the two processions were converging near Tekhali, CPM cadres who were hiding
in the paddy fields suddenly attacked, firing indiscriminately at the procession. About 3000-5000 persons are missing, as people got scattered and ran through the fields, the attackers firing at them. Sheikh Rizaul and Shymali Manna, who are reported dead, were in the procession from Nandigram. 

Rickshaw vans carrying the dead bodies were seen on the road. CPM cadres used some press persons' cars to take dead bodies out. Local CPM leaders were controlling and operating the attack.

Near Amtala School at Sherkhan Chowk, 300 persons have been abducted and brutally beaten up. 12 dead bodies have been seen by BUPC activists near Kalagechhia CPM party office. 2 people reported dead in Tamluk.

An 18 year old girl was raped by several men in front of her mother. This was while she was being taken to hospital!

Hundreds of houses were looted and burnt in Dandpur, Yinagar and people driven out. The rampage continues.

While all this happened, the Nandigram police stayed inside their station. No police was seen in the vicinity.

In Kolkata, there was huge response from all corners. Several organizations, intellectuals, activists and Sunando Sanyal were on dharna from 1 - 8 p.m. on November 9th, where they declared a 48 hour fast on 10th and 11th November, in support of the people of Nandigram.

Today, on 10th November, several organizations are participating in the 48 hour fast. These are National Trade Union Initiative, Khet Mazdoor Samiti, Hawkers Sangram Samiti, NAPM, APDR, Sanhati Udyog, Gandhi Peace Foundation, AISA, CPI (ML-Liberation) , SUCI, Janata Dal (S) and Bandi Mukti Committee. CPI (ML-Liberation) , SUCI and Janata Dal (S) came with their banners but folded them after entering the fast site. Manoj Bhattacharjee, an RSP official also spoke condemning the violent attack by CPM supporters.

The fast started at 11 a.m. It was supported by prominent individuals who visited and addressed the gathering. These included Debabrata Bandopadhyay, Mahashweta Devi, Aparna Sen and Rituporno Ghosh. Women representatives from Singur and Nandigram participated, expressing their indomitable spirit. A rally was also taken out.

CPM supporters have gathered tonight at Sonachura, planning further attacks. It was possible for UPA government to persuade the CPM to withdraw the violent attack. About 1000 CRPF is now allotted to the area. But it is too late.

Irrecoverable loss has already occurred. The dead and wounded are silenced. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed, burnt and looted. Rehabilitation or compensation is at some distance. Relief must reach fast as people under attack are in terrible misery.

West Bengal Governor's true, Satyagrahi statement (given below) is welcome but he needs to urgently visit the affected villages. There is only a political solution and the ruling party must act fast so that Nandigram may return to peace and people come back to their lands.

WE EARNESTLY REQUEST YOU ALL TO APPEAL TO THE WEST BENGAL GOVERNOR TO VISIT THE AREA. PLEASE SEND EMAILS TO governor@wb. nic.in OR FAX HIM AT 033-22002444/ 22001649. PLEASE WRITE TO THE PRESIDENT ALSO, ASKING THE CENTRE TO
INTERVENE IMMEDIATELY.

Anuradha Talwar, Saktiman Ghosh, Sukhendu Bhattacharya, Sujato Bhadra, Medha Patkar

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *

STATEMENT BY WEST BENGAL GOVERNOR
Raj Bhavan, Kolkata

Press Statement
9th November 2007

The news of deaths by police firing in Nandigram this morning has filled me with a sense of cold horror.

We will soon know more details of the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. But the point uppermost in my mind is not "Who started it", "Who provoked it" or whatever there were agent-provocateurs behind it. Investigations will reveal that. The thought in my mind and of all sensitive people now is -- "Was this spilling of human blood not avoidable? What is the public purpose served by the use of force that we have witnessed today?"

Force against anti-national elements, terrorists, extremists, insurgents is one thing. The receiving end of the force used today does not belong to that order.

What I advised Government over the last two days, as I received inputs of rising tension in Nandigram, Government knows. It is not my intention to enter into blame-fixing. But I can not be so casual to the Oath I have taken as to restrict my reaction to a pious expression of anguish and outrage. I trust the Government will not only go into the whys and wherefores of this tragic occurrence but will also ensure that it leaves no room for a repetition of the kind of trauma witnessed today.

I leave it to the conscience of officials responsible to atone for the event in the manner they deem fit. But I also expect the government to do what it thinks is necessary to mitigate the effects of this bitter March 14, and to do it visibly and fast.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi