Buddha apologises for Nandigram

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has apologised to the people of Nandigram for the police firing on March 14 that took many lives in the region, reports CNBC-TV18.

Visiting Nandigram for the first time since violence erupted in January, he said the State government would compensate all those whose houses had been damaged or destroyed by the violence.

He said of the Rs 1 crore sanctioned by the government, Rs 74 lakh had been spent on rehabilitation work, besides repairing of damaged houses, roads and bridges. The balance will be spent within a month.

The Chief Minister also promised the people of Nandigram that his government would not acquire land forcibly in the region.

Buddha also announced a comprehensive package for economic development in the area. As part of the package, the government will provide better health and education facilities in the region. A Committee has also been set up under a senior government officer to prepare a report on what kind of development projects could be taken up in Nandigram.