Accusing the West Bengal government of doing nothing for the people of Nandigram since the March 14 police firing, Jnanpith award-winning writer-activist Mahasweta Devi on Friday alleged that night attacks are still continuing in the area where locals are "fighting for their independence."
"Not a single police diary has been made against the killers and rapists in Nandigram. After the March 14 genocide, the state government has done nothing," she said addressing the D S Borker Memorial Lecture series on 'My Vision of India: 2047 AD' in Delhi.
Devi alleged some villages in the East Midnapore district were being attacked every night with bombs and guns by people from Khejuri, just opposite Nandigram with a canal dividing the two.
"Nandigram has refused entry to the CPM goons. To the government, Nandigram is self-condemned because they have refused the state machinery entry there," she said.
She said people in Nandigram were working hard in a positive manner "to realise their independence" and cited the example of a health centre built with money raised through donations.
Emphasising the need for a social movement to reach the poor in rural areas, Devi said the young generation has to take up this hard task.
Speaking against SEZs, she said fertile multi-crop agricultural plots were being handed over to national and multi-national corporates in many states.
More from rediff