Click to play videoNew Delhi: Bengal Chief Minster Buddhadeb Bhattacharejee on Tuesday said he regretted saying justifying Nandigram violence and saying that those opposed to land acquisition in Nandigram have been paid back in the same coin by CPM activists.
“I had said the people have been paid back in the same coin. I should not have said it. I want peace now,” he said.
Bhattacharjee was referring to the mindless violence in Nandigram two weeks ago, in which CPM workers targetted local villagers and took control of the village.
The Chief Minister issued a controversial statement at the time, virtually justifying the CPM cadre's action.
On Tuesday, he reverted his statement, calling the violence in an administrative and political failure.
Rewind: What Buddha said
Bhattacharjee on November 14 had justified one of the bloodiest political battles in Bengal's history approving the manner in which those who dared to challenge the might of the CPI-M were tamed in Nandigram.
"What I am simply saying is that they were paid back in their own coin,” he said, adding, "The people who were ruling Nandigram, do you think they were peaceful people? They were moving without arms? They harassed, killed and evicted our people without arms? Our people were evicted by a group of armed workers of opposition.”
Bhattacharjee maintained that Nandigram's recapture was an act of desperation by displaced people – one that has claimed four lives and critically injured 11.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.