04-18-2007, 06:51 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Church offers to mediate in Nandigram
PTI | April 17, 2007 | 11:10 IST
With tension still simmering at Nandigarm, the scene of the March 14
police firing on villagers protesting land acquisition for an SEZ, the
Roman Catholic Church in Kolkata has stepped in with a peace
initiative, offering to mediate between the warring sides.
"We are ready to mediate. We have sought an appointment with the Home
Secretary next week for this," Father I P Sarto, spokesman of the
Church Seva Kendra in Kolkata, told PTI.
Archbishop of Kolkata Lucas Sircar, Bishop of Baruipur Salvadore Lobo
and Bishop of Asansol Cyprian Monis have lent full support to the
Kendra's initiatives.
The Kendra has begun a camp at the trouble-torn Sonachura under
Nandigram block since Good Friday. The camp is at present offering
trauma counselling to the families affected in the violence on March
14.
Father Sarto, who visited the affected areas along with a team
comprising clergy and lay volunteers, said that most of the families,
especially children, were still traumatised after the March 14 firing
and the violent incidents that followed.
Nearly 100 families in the area have so far approached the camp for
its services, Sarto said. He said that those managing the camp have
been instructed to offer "whatever protection they can" to the
villagers in the event of further violence.
"The police are not entering the area and the villagers are very
vulnerable." The Seva Kendra was also looking at possibilities of
providing material relief to the affected villagers of Nandigram.
"We approached the State Relief minister, but he said his department
could intervene only during natural disasters. So we are looking into
what best can be done to give some relief to the villagers."
http://www.rediff.com///news/2007/apr/17nandi.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
PTI | April 17, 2007 | 11:10 IST
With tension still simmering at Nandigarm, the scene of the March 14
police firing on villagers protesting land acquisition for an SEZ, the
Roman Catholic Church in Kolkata has stepped in with a peace
initiative, offering to mediate between the warring sides.
"We are ready to mediate. We have sought an appointment with the Home
Secretary next week for this," Father I P Sarto, spokesman of the
Church Seva Kendra in Kolkata, told PTI.
Archbishop of Kolkata Lucas Sircar, Bishop of Baruipur Salvadore Lobo
and Bishop of Asansol Cyprian Monis have lent full support to the
Kendra's initiatives.
The Kendra has begun a camp at the trouble-torn Sonachura under
Nandigram block since Good Friday. The camp is at present offering
trauma counselling to the families affected in the violence on March
14.
Father Sarto, who visited the affected areas along with a team
comprising clergy and lay volunteers, said that most of the families,
especially children, were still traumatised after the March 14 firing
and the violent incidents that followed.
Nearly 100 families in the area have so far approached the camp for
its services, Sarto said. He said that those managing the camp have
been instructed to offer "whatever protection they can" to the
villagers in the event of further violence.
"The police are not entering the area and the villagers are very
vulnerable." The Seva Kendra was also looking at possibilities of
providing material relief to the affected villagers of Nandigram.
"We approached the State Relief minister, but he said his department
could intervene only during natural disasters. So we are looking into
what best can be done to give some relief to the villagers."
http://www.rediff.com///news/2007/apr/17nandi.htm<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->