The West Bengal Chief Minister promised legal action against several CPM leaders if victims' families lodge fresh FIRs.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Tuesday that his administration will revisit cases concerning the 2007 Nandigram violence. Speaking in Nandigram during the 19th anniversary of Operation Suryodaya, Adhikari stated that the government would reopen investigations if the families of those affected file new FIRs regarding the atrocities.
According to reports from Telegraph India and The Federal, Adhikari promised strict legal consequences for several senior CPM leaders. He named Abhay Mondal of Goghat, Monoranjan Patra of Taldangra, Tapan Ghosh of Garhbeta, and Himanshu Das of Khejuri as individuals who would face action for their alleged involvement in the political violence.
The Chief Minister alleged that armed groups wearing black clothes arrived from outside to carry out organised attacks. He claimed that while a CID investigation occurred during the previous TMC regime, the judicial process remained incomplete and those responsible were not punished. Adhikari also alleged that 11 people were abducted, killed, and their bodies were dumped in the sea.
CPM central committee member Sujan Chakraborty responded by saying the Chief Minister is issuing threats because he fears communists. Chakraborty stated that if files are reopened, more of the government's own files will be exposed.
The 2007 violence occurred during an anti-land acquisition movement led by the Bhoomi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC). On March 14, 2007, 14 villagers died and between 75 and 300 people were injured when police opened fire during protests against a proposed chemical hub.
