CBI to submit second report on Nandigram firing today

Central Bureau of InvestigationKolkata, Feb 15: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will submit its second report on the March 14 police firing incident in Nandigram to the Calcutta High Court today.

Earlier, the agency had submitted its first report in December last year before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S S Nijjar and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh.

The High Court had asked the agency to submit its final report on the Nandigram firing within two months, in spite of the investigating agency's plea of granting them four months time to complete their investigation.

The Calcutta High Court had asked the agency to inquire into the situation that prompted the police to open fire when thousands of villagers had gathered to protest the police force's attempt to enter Nandigram.

At least 14 people were killed when police fired bullets on activists of Trinamool Congress spearheaded Bhoomi Uchched Protirodh Committee (BUPC), who were protesting against the setting up of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Nandigram.

The Supreme Court has already stayed a Calcutta High Court order directing the CBI to begin criminal proceedings against police officials for the March 14 incident.

The West Bengal Government has contended that the Calcutta High Court had made a "premature conclusion" without properly evaluating the evidence on record.

The State Government had planned to set up a SEZ for chemical industries in Nandigram, but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give up their farmland for the project.

The row saw violent clashes between residents opposed to the project and the communist supporters as well as police. (ANI)