Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CALCUTTA17
2007-01-10 14:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:  

WEST BENGAL CM TO PROCEED MORE SLOWLY ON SEZS AFTER VIOLENCE

Tags:  EAGR EINV EIND ETRD ASEC IN PHUM 
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VZCZCXRO4309
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHCI #0017 0101401
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101401Z JAN 07
FM AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1346
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1236
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0512
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0512
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0321
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDHP/DIA DHP-1 WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 1664
UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000017 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EINV EIND ETRD ASEC IN PHUM
SUBJECT: WEST BENGAL CM TO PROCEED MORE SLOWLY ON SEZS AFTER VIOLENCE
IN NANDIGRAM

REF: CALCUTTA 00011

UNCLAS CALCUTTA 000017

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EINV EIND ETRD ASEC IN PHUM
SUBJECT: WEST BENGAL CM TO PROCEED MORE SLOWLY ON SEZS AFTER VIOLENCE
IN NANDIGRAM

REF: CALCUTTA 00011


1. (U) SUMMARY: Nandigram remained quiet, but tense, after
weekend clashes that left 6 people dead. Government of West
Bengal (GOWB) CM Bhuddadeb Bhatacharjee indicated that his party
will re-examine the notice of land acquisition for the SEZ that
triggered the violence. Bhattacharjee and his administration
will go ahead with Special Economic Zone (SEZ) plans for West
Bengal, but will proceed more slowly, trying to ensure that
everyone, including villagers, understands how land acquisition
for SEZs will proceed in the future. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The situation in the village area of Nandigram appears
to be calm after weekend violence killed six people and saw the
burning of a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) party office
(reftel). Police are still unable to enter the villages in the
area, as roads remain impassable to most vehicles.


3. (U) On January 10, GOWB CM Bhattacharjee conceded that his
administration had "blundered" by issuing a notice of land
acquisition at Nandigram. The Haldia Development Authority,
which issued the notice, is headed by a local CPM party loyalist
and strongman, and the notice that triggered the violence
referred to areas of land in Nandigram that had been
short-listed for conversion into an SEZ. Bhattacharjee made it
clear that the GOWB would have to do a better job of consulting
with locals and explaining the land acquisition procedure and
land maps. He also indicated that the state would have to
improve its rehabilitation package for people displaced by the
acquisitions. Bhattacharjee said that he had begun a "political
process to defuse the tension," and that the industrialization
process will go forward.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: Bhattacharjee appears to understand that the
process of land acquisition and industrialization needs to be
more transparent. The fallout from Singur and Nandigram will
impede his efforts somewhat, as the opposition now has a
platform upon which to scrutinize the CPM's every move on land
issues. In addition, implementing greater transparency at the
local level may prove more challenging than it appears, as
Ultra-Left opponents of SEZs are already identifying the
locations of upcoming land acquisitions for their next battles.

JARDINE