State must protect, says PM, ally CPM says don146;t worry, do your job

Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reminded the West Bengal government of its 8220;duty8221; to protect...

Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reminded the West Bengal government of its 8220;duty8221; to protect 8220;all sections of population, regardless of their political views and affiliations8221; and favoured a discussion in Parliament on Nandigram, the CPM hit back, saying the 8220;Prime Minister should do the Prime Minister8217;s job8221; and not worry about Nandigram.

While Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee agreed with the Prime Minister8217;s remarks, saying he shared Singh8217;s 8220;grief and spirit8221;, CPM state secretary and politburo member Biman Bose, speaking after a public rally in South 24 Parganas, said: 8220;The Prime Minister should do the Prime Minister8217;s job. He should not have any cause for worry on Nandigram. It is we who should be concerned.8221;

The PM, in his first public remarks on Nandigram in response to queries from reporters accompanying him on the flight to Singapore for the East Asia summit, said: 8220;This is a matter that should be discussed in Parliament. Events in Nandigram have taken a most unfortunate turn. I condole the loss of lives and regret the destruction of property.8221;

8220;I sincerely hope the state government will be able to take necessary steps to restore the confidence of the people through effective deployment of security forces. It is the duty of the state government to ensure that all sections of population, regardless of their political views and affiliations, are entitled to and do receive protection of law enforcement agencies,8221; he said.

8220;I understand the spontaneous outpouring of grief and anguish over the issue as expressed by artists and intellectuals in Kolkata. I hope the state government will take note of this.8221;

8220;I have asked the Home Minister to be in touch with the Chief Minister. And as Parliament is in session, I do not wish to say anything more,8221; he said.

In Kolkata, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said 8220;the Prime Minister has said the right thing8230; He has given a good statement. We share his grief and spirit. In fact, we had a talk over this issue today.8221;

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CITU state general secretary Shyamal Chakrabarty said: 8220;The Prime Minister expressed his concern. We also share his concern.8221;