URGENT ACTIONS

CASES

India - Nandigram, West Bengal - Villagers die due to state led terror

Many villagers in Nandigram, women and children died when the armed goons of the ruling party in West Bengal opened fire on a peaceful rally on 10.11.2007. Villagers have been opposing since 11 months a proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nandigram, which would displace more than 100,000 people from their homes and agricultural lands. Official sources have confirmed the death of three villagers so far where according to unofficial sources more than 40 villagers died in this violence in Nandigram. More than 40,000 homeless poor in Nandigram who had to spend sleepless nights in temporary relief shelters, are at present forced to return to their homes by the cadres of the ruling party. They are living under constant threats and have lost everything including their huts and small assets which would allow them to earn a living. Their livelihoods are at stake, their right to food is severely endangered.

By brutal attacks on villagers leading to exodus to relief shelters, India and the state of West Bengal is violating these persons' human right to food. Their right to adequate food is denied since most of them no longer have their former resources for subsistence. Very few realistic alternatives (of paid employment) are available for them in order to sustain themselves and their families. By not ensuring livelihood security for villagers of Nandigram and rehabilitation and compensation, the state of West Bengal is violating the right to food of these people.

The government of West Bengal should take immediate action to stop the ongoing threats and terror in Nandigram as well as ensure access to land for the peasant families and ensure that the villagers can retain their physical integrity and can pursue their regular economic activities. In addition, it should guarantee adequate compensation and rehabilitation packages for all the villagers who suffered losses from this large-scale violence in Nandigram, so that they will be able to sustain their livelihood.