Mamata announces release of 40 prisoners serving life sentences in WB

Kolkata, Mar 13 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the release of forty convicts serving life sentences in the state.

"Those who have a lifer (serving life term) of over 18 years and those who have spent their lives in jails, in various cases, to ensure that they get back to mainstream of social life and to ensure that they return to a peaceful way of living after having stayed so long behind the bars, we have mooted a novel mode. Keeping that objective in mind, we, the government of West Bengal have decided to release 40 such people," said Banerjee.

" We have taken the decision after the proceedings about this proposal will take place. The list will about the people who have been languishing in jails so long for more than 58 years would be given to you. Today, the state government officially declares them to be free," she added.

Banerjee said that while 30 such convicts were released earlier, the new batch of 40 other convicts released would be a part of 92 such overall cases, which the state government has taken up.

Banerjee further said Wednesday (March 14) would be observed in West Bengal as a special commemoration day, as it is the fifth anniversary of the Nandigram massacre.

"Tomorrow, all of Bengal along with the state government, while acknowledging the Krishi Zameen Raksha Committee (farmers land protection committee day) movement of Singur-Nandigram, will give respect and acknowledgment to the farmers. Tomorrow, we shall observe the day as Krishak Day (farmers' day). We are proud to be doing this," said Banerjee.

"The farmers are our pride and they are our assets. Tomorrow I will be going to Nagpur for some personal work. I have some prior commitments to fulfill. But I shall return tomorrow itself and head for Nandigram," she added.

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. (ANI)