Actors Aparna Sen, Amiya Chatterjee, Human Rights activist Sujato Bhadra, theatre personality Saonli Mitra and artist Suvaprasanna met Gupta and demanded immediate end of violence.

“We have demanded that the CRPF be effectively deployed for restoration of peace. Violence should stop if free and fair elections are to be held in Nandigram,” said Aparna Sen after meeting Gupta.

The state election commission, however, rejected it. “We cannot authorise any group to be observers. But if people want to visit Nandigram they can do so. If there are any security issues, they can approach us for that,” said Roychowdhury. Theatre personality Saonli Mitra said that she and a few others who recently visited Nandigram found that “inhuman treatment is being meted out to the villagers.”