Appeal to Left Front Partners to Withdraw from West Bengal State Government

Respected friends,

We are horrified by the barbaric attack on the people of Nandigram by a veritable army of CPI(M) cadres and anti-social elements. In a clearly pre-planned move, co-ordinated with the West Bengal government, the CPI(M) is out to recapture what it identifies as lost territory, and to teach the people of Nandigram a lesson for originally resisting the acquisition of their lands for establishment of an SEZ.

The ongoing atrocities, which includes the surrounding of Nandigram from all sides, penetration by armed brigades of CPI(M) cadres, widespread firing, looting, destruction and burning of homes and eviction of thousands of people all signify this absolutely fascist move. The attackers have erected road-blocks all around Nandigram and have physically assaulted and prevented human rights workers and social activists from entering Nandigram, and have also prevented the injured from getting medical attention. More disturbingly, the police has remained a silent spectator, suggesting direct abetment by the state government of West Bengal. These horrifying atrocities, which have given rise to a humanitarian crisis, are being committed by the CPI(M) in collusion with the state government, which is a government of Left parties like yours, and would become a permanent blot on the history of the Left movement in India.

We have seen, and greatly appreciated, the courageous and pro-people stand your respective parties had taken after the 14th March massacre in Nandigram. Together with the outpouring of indignation and protests by all sections of the people, it was your constant pressure that made the West Bengal government back off from acquiring the land of Nandigram. At this critical juncture in front of the Left in India, when all the gains made by peoples' struggles and sacrifices in creating the Left Front is in danger of being lost by the unilateral and fascistic action of one party, we appeal to you to take a stand and clearly come out on the side of the poor and working people. We request you to condemn the actions of the CPI(M) and demand a halt to the atrocities in Nandigram, withdraw from the Left Front, withdraw your ministers from the West Bengal state cabinet and act in unison with the greater peoples' movement that is taking place around Nandigram and other mass struggles.

The CPI(M) is already isolated from the people, it is up to you to isolate it from the Left Front. It is up to you stop these brutalities being inflicted on the people and to prevent the collapse of peoples' trust in the Left movement in India. History has put a great responsibility on your shoulders today, and we sincerely hope that you would take these actions which would express your long-standing commitment to the common people of India.