Describing the firing at Netai in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district, which killed nine persons on January 7, as a “fairly serious incident,” Governor M.K. Narayanan said on Wednesday that he would send reports to both the State government and the Centre about what he saw and heard during his visit to the village.
Speaking to reporters outside the Lalgarh police station before his departure to Jhalda in the neighbouring Purulia district, Mr. Narayanan said that he went to Netai to “know the feelings of the people there”.
Asked about the firing incident, he said: “I have not come here to express an opinion… I will report back to both the State government and to Delhi [as to] what the demands and feelings of people here were. As a Governor, I have no other responsibility”.
Mr. Narayanan refused to speak on the issue of Maoist problem faced by the district. “I have a fair amount of idea of what the Maoists are capable of but what I have come here for is an entirely different issue.”
He had criticised the Netai incident in strong words on January 7, stating that the “circle of bloodshed is expanding in the State” and that it was a day of “sorrow and shame” for the State.
Villagers' distress
Family-members of those killed or injured in the 7 firing, allegedly by hired goons of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), vented their grief and anger before the Governor.
They expressed dissatisfaction with the role played by the police.
While elderly relatives of some of the victims broke down at Mr. Narayanan's feet even as they narrated their tales of woe, others described to him the chain of incidents.
Following a 20-minute-long interaction, the Governor reportedly assured the family members of the victims that he would try to restore peace and order in the area. Responding to the villagers' plea for a CBI probe, Mr. Narayanan said only the court had the power to order it.
Mr. Narayanan, who arrived late here only around 12 noon due to fog,was accompanied by top police officials.
He visited the house of local CPI(M) leader Rathin Dandapat, from where, the villagers alleged, goons had opened fire. He also examined the bullet-holes on adjoining houses before interacting with families.
Nayan Sen, who was shot in the leg, said: “The Governor asked me to explain what happened that day. When I told him that CPI(M) ‘harmads' had fired at us, he wanted to know if there was any other group, especially Maoists, present at the scene at the time. I said that there was no one except common villagers who had gathered in front of the house to request the CPI(M) leaders not to force the villagers into undertaking arms training.”
