Forced to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on the police-firing in Nandigram in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said six persons were killed and 20 injured in the scuffle between the protestors and the police today. The House was adjourned for the day immediately after his statement with “dissatisfied” Opposition members chanting “Bampanthio ki lathi-goli ka sarkar nehi chalegi”. According to Patil, today’s police firing in Nandigram was in response to “stone pelting” and bursting of crude bombs by protesting local villagers, and had nothing to do with the industrial project. Of the 20 people injured, Patil claimed, “Eight were police personnel and everyone has been sent to hospital. The situation is under control.” He emphasised that his statement was based on “telephonic information” received by his Home Secretary from the West Bengal Chief Secretary and not based on any report.
