strong>By Manish Chand, IANS
On Board Air India One : The government Sunday said it was deeply concerned about the role of Maoists in the shimmering conflict at Nandigram in West Bengal and it was trying to ensure no more lives are lost in violence there.
“It’s a tricky situation. Delhi is concerned. Kolkata is also deeply concerned,” National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan told reporters aboard the prime minister’s special aircraft on way to Moscow.
“The idea is to ensure that no more lives are lost and those who have been driven out and blocked from returning to their homes can do so with minimum violence and casualties,” he said.
Nandigram, about 150 km from Kolkata, has been on the boil since January with clashes between ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) supporters and local people over land acquisition for industry that has turned into a turf battle. Fresh violence since Saturday has taken the death toll to 34.
“But quite clearly, it is obvious that it is a matter that is causing a great deal of concern,” Narayanan said.
Responding to a question on the role of leftwing radicals in the violence, he said: “The Maoists said at their 9th Congress that wherever there is an opportunity, they will get in. This is one area that they have entered into. Some of the violence can be attributed to the Maoists. This is a matter of further concern for both the government of India and the government of West Bengal.”
Narayanan also said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in touch with Home Minister Shivraj Patil over the unfolding events in Nandigram and a senior official from New Delhi was sent to the region to report on the situation and recommend measures.
“One battalion of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) is already there. It is a dicey situation, which, I hope, is being handled well,” said the national security adviser.
Asked about the CPI-M criticising West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishan Gandhi for his comments on the violence, Narayanan said: “The governor has spoken out, there have been responses from either side. The home minister (Patil) has spoken to the chief minister (Buddhadev Bhattacharya) on more than one occasion.”