M A I N   N E W S

WB ‘fit case’ for Central rule
CID probe into massacre ordered

KOLKATA, Jan 8 (UNI) — The West Bengal Government today ordered a CID inquiry into the alleged massacre of Trinamool Congress (TC) workers at Garbeta in Midnapur district, even as NDA team leader Vijay Goel described the incident as a clear example of “state-sponsored terrorism.”

Mr Goel, who returned from Chhota Angaria village, told reporters here that he would submit a report to NDA convener George Fernandes.

“What was most unfortunate was that the state administration had taken the incident most lightly and the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police made different statements,’’ he said.

Announcing the government’s decision to order a CID probe, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee admitted that he did not rule out the possibility of a clash.

“We have decided to hand over the investigations to the CID since recovery of some empty cartridges from the spot suggests the possibility of a clash having taken place.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders, led by the party’s Rajya Sabha leader and West Bengal unit Chief Pranab Mukherjee, would join a mass satyagraha outside the office of Midnapore District Magistrate on January 11, demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged killings in Garbeta in the district last week.

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister L.K. Advani on Monday ruled out the imposition of President’s rule in West Bengal but asked the state government to hold an independent inquiry into the Garbeta incident in which some political activists were allegedly burnt to death.

The Centre was closely observing the law and order situation in the state, which was “bad”, Mr Advani said here. Asked what steps the Centre would take to control the situation, particularly in light of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state, Mr Advani said the government would take “stern measures” if the conditions deteriorated.

Congress leader P.R.Das Munshi, who met Mr Advani earlier in the day, alleged that some Congress activists were killed in the incident and demanded that the Centre order a CBI inquiry.

The Home Ministry was awaiting the report of the fact-finding NDA team, which had gone to Midnapore, he added.

Meanwhile, the Centre today issued an “advisory” to the West Bengal Government advising an impartial probe into allegations by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee that 18 of her party activists were killed by CPM workers in Midnapore district last week. Home Secretary Kamal Pande is understood to have written to the state Chief Secretary on the issue.