DNA:The Calcutta high court observations on the suicide of graphics designer Rizwanur Rahman and the ongoing tussle over Tata Motors small-car, Nano, factory at Singur made the front pages of most Bengali newspapers in the last few days.

Leading regional daily Anandabazar Patrika had the most detailed coverage on the high court observations. It carried two front-page reports - one on the technical and legal aspects of the observations and the other on the courts criticism of former Kolkata police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee for misleading people and adding fuel to fire. ABP also carried a detailed report on the reaction of Rizwanurs family and the public in general on the high court observations. "Police does not have human face", was its banner headline.

Another leading Bengali daily Bartaman was not far behind. It described Kolkata Police as a villain and also ran a separate, detailed article on how the high court observations had caused immense embarrassment to the city police and the West Bengal government. "Police acted illegally in Rizwanur case", was its headline.

The other two important regional papers, Aajkal and CPI(M) mouthpiece Ganashakti, were not so elaborate in their coverage of the case. Both carried spot reports on the high court observations, explaining its salient features, but did not highlight the case enough. Aajkal at least had a front-page coverage of the event, but Ganashakti buried the court observations on an inside page.

ABPs Singur coverage was balanced, finding a solution to the problem being its central theme. Instead of taking sides, the paper tried to explain how the imbroglio was hampering the image of West Bengal as a pro-industry state. ABPs reports were comprehensive and had quotes of several industrialists, economists and experts.

Bartaman, on the other hand, blasted the ruling CPI(M) and the West Bengal government, saying they were solely responsible for the tension. The paper diligently carried Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjees announcements regarding Singur and tried to justify her stand on returning the 400 acres of land acquired for the project to farmers.

Aajkal and Ganashakti carried detailed reports on how Mamata, through her anti-Nano agitation, was hampering the industrial prospects of the state.
Source : DNA