Kolkata, November 06, 2007 (IANS): West Bengal’s trouble-torn Nandigram turned into a virtual battlefield Tuesday as fresh violence claimed two lives in a turf war between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress.
‘Nandigram has turned into a war zone. We are trying our best to control the situation. So far two people were killed in Tuesday’s violence and 10 were injured, including an Eastern Frontier Rifle (EFR) jawan,’ West Bengal Home Secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy told reporters at state secretariat Writers’ Building.
The two killed were identified as Tushar Kanti Sahu and Nirapada Ghata, reports from Nandigram said.
Pradip Tamang, an EFR jawan, got a bullet injury in his shoulder when he was on duty at Tekhali Bridge in the area. He was first taken to Nandigram hospital and later referred to Tomluk Hospital.
Tekhali Bridge connects Nandigram and Khejuri, two violence-torn regions in East Midnapore district. While the Trinamool Congress’ anti-land acquisition Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) rules Nandigram, the CPI-M holds sway in Khejuri.
Roy said police were taking positions to guard Tekhali Bridge to prevent further violence.
About 1,500 CPI-M supporters are living in refugee camps in Khejuri, from where they allegedly launch attacks on Nandigram villagers.
‘A section of CPI-M supporters entered Sonachura, Bakulnagar, Satengabari and Ranichak (in Nandigram) and gained some new areas there,’ Roy said, adding that the clash first started at Ranichak Monday night.
Asked about the role of Maoists in the violence, Roy said it was yet to be confirmed. He also refused to confirm any landmine blast Tuesday in the region.
A TV report said a landmine had exploded at Bhangabera in Nandigram Tuesday morning, causing the deaths.
‘The gun battle and bombings are still raging there. The situation is quite unstable but we are trying to bring it under control,’ East Midnapore Superintendent of Police S.S Panda said.
With the two deaths, the toll touched 30 in Nandigram since January this year.
On March 14, at least 14 villagers were killed in police firing when they resisted entry of cops in the region.
Violence in the region flared up in January over the government plans to acquire land for a special economic zone (SEZ), which was later scrapped in the face of violent opposition from villagers.
However, a turf war between the CPI-M and the BUPC has led to continued violence in the run up to the panchayat (local body) elections next year.
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has appealed to opposition parties to find a political solution to the Nandigram violence, while seeking central forces in the area.
source: India eNews
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