Kolkata, 10 November (H.S.) : Marking 19 years of the infamous Operation Sunrise in Nandigram in 2007, Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari once again recalled the brutality of the Left Front regime. Speaking from the stage on Nandigram Day on Tuesday, he made it clear that his government will reopen the old file of the Nandigram movement. He had announced this a few days earlier during a public meeting in Garbeta, Medinipur. Now, in Nandigram, he reiterated that while a CID investigation did take place in this matter, the judicial process was never completed and the real culprits were not punished.

It is noteworthy that on November 10, 2007, during the Left Front rule, the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee took out a protest rally from Sonachura to Maheshpur in Nandigram. It is alleged that goons supported by the then ruling CPI(M) launched a deadly attack on them on the way. This incident is known as Operation Sunrise. Two people died in it, and according to police records, 12 people went missing. Following the change of power in the state, this day has been observed every year as Martyrs Day.

The Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs by offering floral wreaths and lighting lamps in Gokulnagar on Tuesday morning. Describing the cruelty of that 19 year old incident, he leveled serious allegations. He stated that a total of 11 people were taken away with their hands tied. They were held hostage in the gram panchayat office in the Baratala area. Then, those living individuals were taken to Kamarda, where they were chopped to pieces inside the CPI(M) office. The next day, their bodies were stuffed into bags and thrown into the deep sea.

Shubhendu further said that a CID probe was conducted after this incident and former MP Lakshman Seth had to spend 181 days in jail, but justice was never fully served.

Remembering the struggle of agitators like Shyamali Manna and Rezaul Karim who died in the firing, he said that many people lost their loved ones and the bodies of the 11 people have not been found to date. He assured that his current government would ensure justice in this entire matter.

Meanwhile, political rhetoric surrounding the Nandigram movement remains intense. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee also made social media posts regarding Operation Sunrise. On the other hand, Shubhendu wrote on social media that Nandigram means the fight to stand up against evil forces, marking the 19th anniversary of the bloody sunrise today.

From the martyrs stage, the Chief Minister also launched a scathing political attack on the main opposition party, Trinamool Congress. In a challenging tone, he said he had stated last year itself that they would return in 2026, but the public would not see this corrupt Trinamool again. He asked if his words had not proven true. Along with this, making a major claim, he asked people to record his statement, asserting that standing there today, he can guarantee that these people will not be seen in power for the next 100 years.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh