WB withdraws Nandigram firing probe petition

New Delhi: In a major setback to West Bengal's Nandigram violence victims, the state government on Friday withdrew its petition from the Supreme Court ordering an investigation into the 2007 firing incident. This, in effect, quashes any probe into those accused in the case, which included several high-ranking officers of the Bengal police.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now expected to start an investigation and submit a chargesheet.

On March 14, 2007, the Bengal police had opened fire on Nandigram villagers who were protesting land acquisition by the then-Bengal government for a proposed chemical hub.

Nearly 14 people were killed and over 150 injured in the shocking incident.