Standing by his denouncement of the ruling CPI(M)'s capture of Nandigram, West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Sunday visited the troubled area on Sunday and said wrong-doers must not be exonerated and pitched for presence of CRPF for some more time.
In contrast to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's emphasis on industrialisation in the area, the governor said Nandigram had a great future for agriculture and the state and Centre should look into it for the areas' sustainable growth.
Walking more than a kilometer, the governor visited interiors of Satengabari, Ranichak and Sonachura nearly three weeks after the recapture of the area by armed cadres of CPI(M) and saw destruction all around--burnt houses as a mute witness to months of violence.
Hundreds of villagers gathered at Satengabari to narrate their tale of woes to the Governor. Everyone was keen to show him their damaged properties as many wailing women and children held his hand pleading with him to have a look at their houses.
Some CPI-M supporters also requested him to have a look at their houses which they claimed to have been burnt down by BUPC men between March and October this year.
The governor went to a refugee camp at a school where anti-land acquisition Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters were lodged and spoke to them. The inmates of the camp narrated their plight and expressed fear in returning to their homes.
He said wrong-doers must not be exonerated and CRPF should continue for some more time.