Date:03/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/03/stories/2007120360011600.htm

National

Gopal Gandhi visits Nandigram area

Marcus Dam

— Photo: PTI

WORD OF SOLACE: West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi hears a victim of violence, in Nandigram on Sunday.

KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Sunday visited the Nandigram area and interacted with people, many of whom were affected by months of hostilities.

Mr. Gandhi said the Nandigram people wanted peace and security, and appealed to all concerned to help in instilling confidence among them so that they could lead a normal life.

“Normality important”

“What is important is that normality is stabilised. Normality is returning but it is not an easy process…. It will take a little time for the trauma to subside,” he told newspersons.

Mr. Gandhi will be sending a report to the Centre as is customary.

He believed that the Central Reserve Police Force deployed in the area on November 12 in the wake of violence should stay on for some time more. The wrong-doers in the recent violent incidents must not be exonerated, he said.

Visits interior areas

Mr. Gandhi visited the interior areas of Satengabari, Ranichak and Sonachura. At one place, he even briefly joined children playing cricket.

The State leadership of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has affirmed that peace is gradually returning to the area, where relief is being disbursed to the victims of violence and funds provided for re-building the destroyed homes.

A three-member delegation of senior leaders of the party visited the area last week and expressed reservations over the role played by a section of the CRPF.