Condemn the Barbaric Act of Massacre in West Bengal

Press Release

Respect Human Rights: Punish the Culprit
Condemn the Barbaric Act of Massacre in West Bengal

South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) is very much upset by the barbaric act of West Bengal government that massacred more than 20 innocent peasants in Nandigram, East Mindapore District in West Bengal, who were fighting against the unethical land acquisition for the proposed establishment of the multi billion USD mega special economic zone (SEZ). We strongly condemn the gross violation of human rights of the people, and urge the concerned to take utmost action to uphold human rights, social justice and peace in the region.

If established, the proposed SEZ in Nandigram will displace approximately 300,000 people, mostly small and marginal farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers who derive their livelihood mainly from their land. It will also bulldoze 142 temples, 45 mosques and 4 high schools to give way to chemical industries under the SEZ.

Therefore, we condemn the fascist move by the state government to kill the dissent of the people and pressurise them to give-up their only source of livelihood which is land.

SAAPE, in solidarity with people and their networks, urges the West Bengal government of India to:

Stop the barbaric killings in Nandigram, and take legal actions against those who are involved in this
Respect and uphold human rights, deliver social justice and just compensation to the victims and families.
Stop any forced and violent eviction and respect the communities' decision to keep their land and their demand for a community-led agricultural development plan.
Immediately release the arrested/detained peasants and withdraw the police cases against them.
Punish the guilty police, government officials and other actors responsible for this massacre.
Scrap SEZ in Nandrigam and other parts of the state
Constitute a high level probe and judicial commission to make an immediate inquiry, with a sitting judge from the High Court/Supreme Court as its Chair

SAAPE Secretariat

Date: 20 March 2007