Fresh violence in Nandigram, but CPM says polls can be held

This morning, fresh clashes took place at various areas in Nandigram, leaving one worker of CPM and 16 of Trinamool injured. The district administration accepted that around 500 people, mostly Trinamool supporters, have left their homes and taken shelter in Maheshpur and Nandigram town.

The violence had begun around 8 am at Satengabari. Rallyists of the CPM cadres came face-to-face with Trinamool workers and a clash ensued. Soon, both sides were exchanging gunfire and lobbing crude bombs.

The Trinamool alleged that three of their supporters were abducted by the CPM, taken to Khejuri, beaten up and had to be admitted at Kamarda hospital. The CPM claimed five of its supporters were abducted by Trinamool.

A huge contingent of policemen and CRPF personnel rushed to the spot and controlled the situation. Sporadic violence and exchange of gunfire continued at Jantibopni and Rainagar from 10 am to noon. “According to our report, seven people were injured on both sides with one person sustaining a bullet injury. We are considering the deployment of additional force,” said S Panda, SP, East Midnapur.

In Kolkata, over a hundred villagers, including panchayat poll candidates from the Opposition, came from Nandigram to the state Election Commission’s office, displaying their wounds and seeking their right to vote.

Of those who came, 32 candidates alleged that they were beaten up and driven out of their homes by CPM cadres.

“After we filed our nomination, CPM cadres asked us to leave the village. When we refused, they beat me up. Since then I am homeless. I cannot enter Nandigram. My family is also being constantly threatened,” said Sheikh Khusnavi, gram panchayat candidate from Samsabad.

Mohan Maity, who had a bandaged head, said: “A few days ago, I was beaten up by CPM cadres and had been admitted in the Nandigram hospital. Even there, they threatened me. I had to leave Nandigram.” A TMC polling agent, Maity also alleged that CPM cadres ransacked his Rainagar home.

All of them said the police were siding with the CPM and even refusing to accept complaints. “After my house was ransacked, I went to the police station, but the police did not accept my complaint. The Officer-in-Charge of Nandigram police station, Debasish Chakraborty, is hand-in-glove with CPM cadres. Everyday the cadres are threatening to kill me and my family if we do not leave the village,” said Sanchaita Mondol, a candidate from Jadubari Chowk village. In Nandigram and Kolkata, CPM leaders insisted that there was no reason to hold off polls in Nandigram. “The situation in Nandigram is conducive for holding elections. According to our assessment, we will win some seats and the Opposition will win some,” said CPM district committee member Ashok Guria.

The EC has sought a report from the District Magistrate of East Midnapur.