CPM activists assault Mamata in Nandigram

Mamata has lodged a FIR in the Nandigram police station against its Officer-in-Charge(OC) Debashish Chakraborty for instigating the CPM activists to attack her convoy. Her complaint says the OC was not performing her duty and was seen busy in capturing the attack in a video camera. Following the incident, tension gripped the parts of Nandigram and Kolkata as large number of TMC activists blocked roads at several places and demanded immediate action against the culprits.

The incident took place around 3.30 pm when Mamata, with her supporters, was entering Bijolipara to meet the family members of the woman who was allegedly gang raped by a group of CPM activists on Friday night.

The TMC chief said, “The attack was pre-planned by the OC as the police stood by as mute spectators. They told me they were unable to provide me with security, and asked me to go back.”

Refuting her charges, S Panda, SP East Midnapore said, “Sufficient police cover was provided to her. Two officers of ASP and SDPO rank were escorting her. Somehow the matter got out of hand. I have heard that she has lodged a complaint against some police officers. We’ll definitely probe that allegation.”

Shishir Adhikary, the district TMC leader who was escorting Mamata said, “The mob, mainly composed of armed women from Khejuri, attacked us. They were led by the local CPM leaders. Some of our supporters have been injured as they faced bricks and lathi blows. The CPM is terrorising the voters before the Panchayat polls get underway.”

Reports say more than 100 CPM activists blocked her convoy and hurled bricks at her car and abused her in front of Chakraborty, OC Nandigram. As the TMC leader got down from her car, the miscreants threatened her with dire consequences and asked her to leave the place. Since the police did not seem take any action, a large number of CRPF jawans rushed to the spot and chased the mob away.

In a separate incident, the CPM activists attacked a TMC leader Subhendu Adhikari and a few media persons in Garupara around 2.30 pm. Subhendu and his supporters were on their way to Pramanikpara to attend a public gathering organised by the activists of Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).

“I was heckled and my supporters were beaten up by bamboo sticks and chopper. A section of media people were also chased and beaten up by the CPM goons. More than 12 people are injured in the incident,” Adhikari said.

Considering the continuous tension for the last three days in Nandigram, additional force has been deployed at several areas in the village.