CPM to launch campaign on industrialisation

The CPI(M) has decided to launch a 45-day statewide campaign from Monday in favour of industrialisation to pre-empt unrest over land acquisition.

The move comes as a damage control measure following the violence in Nandigram that claimed seven lives after a notification for identification of the land for the SEZ to be set up by the Salim Group was issued.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and state CPM secretary Biman Bose reviewed the situation in Nandigram with party leaders from East Midnapore at the Alimuddin Street headquarters yesterday.

It was decided at the meeting that the CPM would publish a booklet for distribution on the need for industrialisation and the "unnecessary" controversy arising out of "meaningless" protests by the Opposition.

Meanwhile, a day after a successful peace meeting was held in Nandigram, tension again built up today as fresh roads were dug up and anti-CPI(M) rallies were organised by the activists opposing land acquisition.