Will reopen Chhoto Angaria, Nandigram cases: West Bengal CM

West Bengal's chief minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday that he would reopen the cases related to the 2001 Chhoto Angaria massacre and the 2007 Nandigram firing. The incidents together resulted in the deaths of around 19 people. Adhikari made this announcement while addressing a BJP rally in Garhbeta, a district in West Midnapore. He vowed that no accused involved in these incidents would go unpunished.

At least five All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) supporters were killed in Chhoto Angaria on January 4, 2001. Adhikari, who was then an AITC leader, was allegedly targeted by CPI(M) cadres inside a house. Later that year, on March 14, 2007, around 14 villagers were killed during a police firing at Nandigram during an anti-land acquisition movement. This event became known as "Operation Sunrise."

Adhikari also directed the West Midnapore Superintendent of Police to locate former CPI(M) leader Tapan Ghosh. He expressed his desire to see Ghosh in jail. Tapan Ghosh and Sukur Ali were prominent leaders of the CPI(M) who were acquitted in the Chhoto Angaria case in 2009 by a court in Midnapore.

The AITC and CPI(M) leaders have been accused of joining hands to create unrest in the state. Adhikari accused them of being friends now. In response, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty questioned Adhikari's eligibility to understand the situation. He further stated that Adhikari, like his predecessor, wants the police to act according to his whims, rather than following the law. He also challenged Adhikari to send CPI(M) leaders to jail if he has the guts.