India: Many villagers died due to state led terror – no compensation and rehabilitation for the affected people in Nandigram, West Bengal

Many villagers in Nandigram, women and children died when the armed goons of CPIM (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) opened fire on a peaceful rally on 10.11.2007. Villagers have been opposing for 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 while according to unofficial sources more than 40 villagers died in the violence in Nandigram. More than 40,000 homeless poor in Nandigram who had to seek refuge from the violence in temporary relief shelters 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.