Trinamul promises damages

  • 28/05/2008

  • Statesman (Kolkata)

NANDIGRAM: After suffering prolonged violence for nearly one-and-half years, victims in the strife-torn areas of Nandigram finally heard some good news from Trinamul Congress leaders today. The Trinamul leaders today announced that they would compensate villagers whose houses were vandalised during the violence. The party also pledged to provide employment to at least one member from each family who lost a member either in police firing or in the clashes. While celebrating the panchayat polls victory in Nandigram, prominent Trinamul leader Mr Subhendu Adhikari today announced: "After we have formed the Zilla Parishad, our first and foremost task will be to provide compensation to the persons victimised during the strife-ridden period in Nandigram. Houses will be rebuilt as part of the Indira Awas Yojana and employment will be provided either in the ZPs or in the panchayats. All Nandigram villages will get electricity and roads will be laid to make the block more accessible.' Mr Adhikari was speaking at a rally organised by his party workers in the community hall in Nandigram to celebrate the party's victory in the recently concluded three-tier panchayat polls. Thousands of villagers and party workers participated in the victory rally today. According to Mr Adhikari, Trinamul chief Miss Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit Nandigram on Saturday for celebrations. Meanwhile, social activist Ms Medha Patkar, today paid another visit to the trouble-torn villages of Nandigram. She first went to Maheshpur in Nandigram I block, which bore the maximum brunt of poll violence and spoke with villagers there. She then visited the Nandigram block hospital and met some of the patients who were injured in poll violence. She also offered Rs 17,000 to those camping away from their homes.