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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Nandigram: Home Ministry seeks report

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry on Monday sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government on the first phase of the panchayat polls, particularly the situation in Nandigram where the Central Reserve Police Force and police were reportedly involved in a clash with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres.

“The Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the State government on developments in Nandigram,” a Home Ministry spokesman said. After getting the report, the Ministry is likely to hold a high-level meeting with senior officials to take stock of the situation.

The first phase of the panchayat polls in five districts on Sunday was marred by a confrontation between CPI(M) MP Lakshman Seth and CRPF’s DIG Alok Raj.

During the polling, which was by and large peaceful, Maoists detonated a landmine in Purulia, killing a BSF jawan and injuring 11 others, while CPI(M) cadres allegedly blocked supporters of the Trinamool Congress from casting their vote at some villages in Nandigram in East Midnapore district.

A large contingent of paramilitary forces, including the CRPF and the BSF, was deployed in the areas where polling took place on Sunday.

Repoll in four booths

Kolkata Special Correspondent reports:

Sporadic incidents of violence involving Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) activists were reported from parts of Nandigram on Monday.

Leaders of the two parties traded allegations of instigating violence in the Balrampur and Gorchakrabera areas in which rival supporters were injured in clashes and some houses destroyed, forcing their occupants to seek shelter elsewhere.

The State Election Commission has ordered a repoll for Tuesday in four booths in the Nandigram area following complaints of irregularities during Sunday’s elections, an official said here.

Inspector-General (Western Range) Rakesh Gupta arrived in Nandigram to inquire into the incidents which led to the alleged assault by CRPF personnel on the officer in charge of the Nandigram thana, Debashis Chakravarty, and into the molestation charge against Mr. Alok Raj.

Mr. Gupta is also expected to inquire into allegations of excesses by some CRPF personnel on locals at Gokulnagar while patrolling the area during the polls.

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