Sheikh Abdus Sattar. Picture by Pradip Sanyal

Sheikh Abdus Sattar voted for peace in Nandigram and an end to the political violence that has wracked the area after the land agitation of 2007. The 32-year-old grocer is confident that the Left’s rule will end this time

What are your biggest concerns as a voter?

Give peace a chance! That is my biggest concern. For the past four years we have known nothing but terror. So many people have been killed or maimed. Many more have fled their homes, fearing for their lives. Police atrocities have been piling up. Innocent villagers have been booked in false cases and then hounded out of their homes. There are seven cases pending against me as well (he is currently out on bail).

It is the ruling party’s responsibility to maintain peace. Why are cases being filed against us? This atmosphere of terror has to go. This is why the vote I cast today is so important for me. It is a vote for change; it is a vote for peace.

How were you involved in the land agitation?

I was there on January 3, 2007, when it all started from this very place. I am still associated with the movement. I took part in rallies that were taken out.

Why did the party (the CPM) get involved in the matter? The fight was between us and the government. Instead of backing us, they blamed us for the violence.

For months, we had to be on vigil every night, guarding the village against possible attacks by CPM harmads. I own 10 bighas. All of it would have gone had I not joined the agitators. We joined forces to save our land, our homes, our mosques and temples. What else was there for me to do?

What emotions will you carry while going to vote?

I have voted all my life. Earlier, we supported the CPM. But now we have turned against the party for the wrongs that it has committed here. Today I am no longer angry. But there is mistrust. I cannot trust the CPM any longer. What if they come back and take away our land, our homes? They have to be stopped. I can never forgive the CPM.

What do you think has been achieved?

That we have been able to save our land is the biggest achievement of our movement. We will do the same thing if Trinamul tries to take away our land.

Do you think that the Left will be voted out of power?

I am 100 per cent sure that a new government will be formed this time. Everybody, everywhere is talking about change. We have to free this area from CPM’s terror.

What are your expectations from the new government?

Our land should not be acquired. Electricity is yet to reach all the households. Drinking water facilities and roads need improvement. If industry can come up here, then youths can get jobs. Irrigation facilities also need to be improved. Land has to be developed for increasing agricultural productivity.