National

Hope as normality is returning to Nandigram

Nandigram: The sound of gunfire has ceased in the much-ravaged Nandigram. The task of rebuilding lives and homes now awaits its people.

Back home after spending 11 months at the Khejuri relief camp, a diminutive Arati Paik collects a blanket, saree and plastic utensils at a relief distribution centre in the Bhangaberia area of Nandigram in West Bengal’s Purbo Medinipur district.

“They [the activists of the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee] were threatening to kidnap and kill our husbands, and used us as human shields [during the January violence]. So we ran away,” she said.

With the paramilitary forces carrying out marches, there is a flicker of hope, enough to ensure that at least “we do not have to stay awake through the night,” said Srikanta Maity, a grocer at Sonachura village.

Normality seems distant as the closed shops face eerily silent, deserted streets on what would otherwise be a bustling Tekhali Bazaar. “There is a general climate of fear among the people; they do not come to the market very often,” said Bimalendu Santra, huddled in a teashop.

“What started out as an apolitical, anti-eviction drive got politicised along the way,” said Sushanta Bor, sitting in the small eatery he owns adjacent to the Tekhali bridge. The eatery’s caved-in asbestos roof was bombed twice during the violence.

“They [the Maoists] told the people that the ‘revolution’ had not ended as there was no written notification that industry would not be set up at Nandigram,” said Bhudeb Mondol, a supporter of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

With an eye on the votebank, they persuaded people against welcoming change, said another.

With the BUPC supporters fearing vengeance if they return home, what chances does peace have? “We want them to return as we want an end to this violence,” said Mr. Mondol.

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