MillenniumPost
Bengal

We feel proud of our farmers, govt committed to their development: Mamata

Kolkata: As Trinamool Congress observed Nandigram Divas with solemnity on Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "We observe Krishak Divas on March 14 to remember those who had been killed in Nandigram. On this day we give out the Krishak Ratna award. We feel proud about the farmers. The government is committed towards their development."

However, the Krishak Ratna award could not be given this year due to the promulgation of the 2019 Lok Sabha election's model code of conduct.

In Contai, state Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari attended a programme organised by East Midnapore District Trinamool Congress to remember those who got killed in Nandigram on March 14, 2007. He garlanded the martyr's column at Tekhali and Sonachura.

The minister also launched campaigns for Sisir Adhikari, contesting from the Contai Lok Sabha seat and Dibyendu Adhikari, contesting from the Tamluk seat.

Meanwhile, Paschimbanga Trinamool Madhyamik Sikshak Samity observed Nandigram Day in North Kolkata. Shashi Panja, minister of state for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare took part in the programme. She remembered the sacrifice of the farmers who had been gunned down by the erstwhile CPI(M) government.

The then state government had decided to acquire land from the farmers to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Salim Group of Indonesia. Accordingly, acquisition notice was given to the farmers. In response, the farmers had launched a movement against the state government's decision.

On March 14, 2007, state government officials along with a huge contingent of police had gone to Nandigram to acquire the land of the farmers. When the farmers resisted police opened fire, killing 14 farmers and leaving 50 more injured.

Trinamool Congress subsequently took up the cause of the farmers and it marked the beginning of the Left Front's end in Bengal. People from all walks of life including intellectuals, theatre personalities, poets and others had joined the rallies organised by the party in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee herself had spearheaded the movement and shook the foundation of CPI(M). The issue had an impact on the entire nation.

In 2008 Trinamool Congress fared quite well in the Panchayat elections and bagged East Midnapore and South 24-Parganas Zilla Parishad. In the 2009 Lok Sabha poll, the party improved its performance. In 2010 Trinamool won the election at Kolkata Municipal Corporation and finally dislodged CPI(M) from power in 2011.

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