Charred bodies, bones found in Khejuri graves

GRAVE ISSUE: With tension mounting in Nandigram, the news bodes ill for the beleaguered Bengal govt.

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New Delhi: Digging of the graves at Nandigram in the presence of Judicial Magistrate on Thursday afternoon has revealed charred bodies and bones.

The graves were discovered near the Khejuri-Talutala road on the outskirts of Nandigram, which recently saw a spate of violence between CPM cadre and those opposed to the proposed SEZ project.

Charred bodies were found from the first grave that was dug.

The graves were found near the Khejuri-Talutala road on the outskirts of Nandigram.

There were reports that half burnt bodies had been found at the site, after which an enquiry was ordered.

The identities of the bodies are not yet known. Search for more graves is still on.

The CRPF suspects the graves could have bodies of some CPI(M) activists who died when a crude bomb exploded at a relief camp in October.

The next course of action would be to send these bones for forensic tests, so that it can be determined how many people are buried there. However, what has been determined is the fact that these are indeed human bones.

The graves were found across the canal from Nandigram, in Khejuri-Talutala, which is known for being a peaceful area.

However, authorities are now worried that after the graves have been unearthed, there could be clashes in this area as ell.

A day after five graves were found, the political blame game has begun in full steam, initiated by Trinamool Congress Chief, Mamata Banerjee.

Accusing the CPI(M) of turning West Bengal into a "jungle", Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the Centre to dismiss Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's government, alleging he was a "liar, criminal and murderer".

Before courting arrest with scores of party activists during a march to Parliament on Nandigram issue, she said, "Coalition pressure should not act as an obstacle for the UPA to sack the government in Bengal where there is no rule of democracy, but sadly, rule of the party exists."

"It is a government which allows CPI-M cadre to indulge in rapes, murders, attacking minorities and Dalits. Political compulsions should notI(M) to murder people," news agency PTI quoted Banerjee as saying.

The fiery Trinamool Chief claimed the state government “unleashed its power” on people who were peacefully fighting for their land.

"He is a liar, liar and liar. He is a murderer and a criminal. If a Chief Minister is saying that whatever happened was right, then he is admitting that he has committed some criminal offence," she alleged.