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Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Central forces yet to arrive in Nandigram

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reviews situation with police officials

— Photos: By special arrangement

UNENDING STRIFE: Police take position at the approach to the Tekhali bridge, a vital link to Nandigram, after violence escalated on Tuesday. At right, families fleeing the clashes take shelter at the Nandigram police station.

KOLKATA: Even as two persons were killed in fresh violence in the Nandigram area on Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reviewed the situation at a meeting with senior State and police officials here.

He sought deployment of Central forces in the area but, according to Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray, they are yet to arrive.

What began as a movement against land acquisition for a chemical hub (the project has since been given up) is increasingly becoming a tussle for political supremacy in the region.

“For the past three to four months we have been seeking a peaceful solution by holding dialogue [between the Trinamool Congress-backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee and supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)] but all that we have done seems to have gone down the drain. We will have to think again for [what is to be done in] the future,” Mr. Ray said, referring to the day’s violence.

Clashes between the rival groups started on Monday evening and the violence escalated on Tuesday morning as supporters of the two sides started firing at each other from Nandigram and Khejuri, where nearly 1,500 people are seeking shelter after having abandoned their homes in the face of intermittent hostilities in the Nandigram area over the past few months.

No police presence

“There is virtually no presence of the police” in several parts of the Nandigram area though personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles had taken positions along the Tekhali Bridge, a vital link to Nandigram, Mr. Ray said. Movement along the bridge was restricted.

For the past few months the police have not been able to enter several parts of Nandigram, which have become inaccessible what with roads dug up allegedly by BUPC activists.

Development work in the region has also been stalled as local panchayats are not able to function.

The Trinamool district leadership called for the setting up of road-blocks in various parts across Purbo Medinipur.

As a result, movement of vehicles including buses carrying tourists to the sea resort of Digha was affected. There were also reports of attacks on some buses.

Last week the Chief Minister spoke of reports reaching the administration of the presence of “armed naxalites” in the Nandigram area.

The Maoists have been responsible for several landmine explosions in the southwest parts of the State where they have a presence.

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