The Battle For Nandigram

Brief History


Dec 2006, WB Gov acquires land for Tata Motors at Singur




Opposed by Mamta Banerjee




Issue blew over




Land acquired was small




Compensation was well above market price




Approximately 60% of land acquisition voluntary




Compensation also paid to share croppers

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Brief History


Awareness of land acquisition spreads




3rd Jan, Notice identifies areas for acquisition at Nandigram issued




Immediate protests & Violence
Panchayat office burnt, police attacked
CPM offices burnt, supporters driven out
Women assaulted, Over 2000 displaced
Roads, bridges destroyed Nandigram isolated

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Brief History


TMC, Jamiaat, others form BUPC (Land Liberation committee.




BUPC creates armed squads which patrol the boundaries of Nandigram




Feb 9, CM announces ‘No land acquisition without consent.’




All party meeting is called by BUPC refuses to attend

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Brief History


March 14, Police & armed CPM supporters enter Nandigram




Voilent confrontation results in 14 deaths




Police withdraws




Attempts for political resolution are tried and fail

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Brief History


Nov 7, Armed CPM supporters attack from all sides, in a carefully planned attack




BUPC is overpowered, CPM takes control




Dozens killed, missing, women assaulted




Police remains mute spectators




BUPC members are fined, forced to participate in CPM victory procession




CRPF is called in Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

Brief History


Governor condemns attack




High Court terms March 14th firing as unconstitutional.




CPM Leaders term HC order as ‘Interference’




Human rights activists reach Nandigram




Mass graves are unearthed




Intellectuals protest in Kolkata, boycott the Kolkata Film Festival




CM justifies attack ‘They have been paid back in their own coin’ Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

Understanding the CPM


Longest running party in power




A coalition with smaller leftist parties




Strong cadre based power






Kisan Sabha, Agri workers union, Trade union Running a parallel government – Dispute resolution + Kangaroo justice All gov benefits routed through party cadre Threat of violence is omnipresent Scientific rigging of elections

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Mutinies Everywhere


Its not about Nandigram by itself




Its not about 1 chemical hub




You lose 1 bastion, you could lose them all




The CPM citadel is cracking





Rizwanur case alienated urban Muslims & intellectuals Ration riots in village after village (Birbhum dist) highlights corruption among CPM cadre ‘The myth of invincibility’ once broken would create revolutions in other areas The violence in Nandigram was a deterrent Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

Mutinies Everywhere


Fear is the key




Previous incidents of violence
Panksura, Garbeta etc




Maximum number of unopposed wins at local level




Supporting the CPM or remaining neutral is a matter of survival not choice

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The party is everything!


Nandigram is a threat to CPM




Invincibility of CPM had taken a beating




Could spead and affect other regions




Need to reestablish fear of CPM




BUPC had to be defeated by the CPM not by the police




Displaced CPM workers demanded revenge




CPM leaders involved in violence ‘heroes’ Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

Need for Industrialization


Post Land reforms the Left has taken no developmental initiative




Agricultural growth rate has tapered off




Rampant trade unions had driven out Industry




No new private investment in Industry




Government lacks funds for public sector

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The Budha Mantra


The Budha mantra







IT initiative for Kolkata, cheap land, fast clearances, protection from bandhs Invitation to domestic & Foreign investment Reining in of Trade unions

Traditional Left leaders



Unsure about the new approach Support for CM is tenuous & conditional

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The alternative ?


The opposition









TMC has been lone opposition for a long time Congress at centre runs on Left support Left softened opposition to N Deal after Nandigram BJP, other parties have limited presence TMC unable to make a dent in rural WB

Land Acquisition





Mamta desperate for political survival, Nandigram was a lease of life. Stalls reconciliation efforts like all party meets Agitation politics is her forte She will continue agitations on Nandigram

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People without a choice


WB people





Dependant on agriculture Emotional attachment to land Unawareness of Industry job opportunities Distrust Industry-exposure to left propaganda

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The Dark Horse


Jamiat






Seeking a political role? Similar movement has started in Assam Significant Muslim population including Bangladeshi settlers Proximity to Bangladesh Mobilizing Muslims on emotional issues • Rizwanur death controversy • Taslima Nasreen controversy • Exemption of Muslims from Marriage registration

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