Violence erupted again in Nandigram, this time over the alleged gangrape of a 45-year-old woman at Gokulnagar village by CPM supporters late on Friday night. The incident occurred after Bhoomi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) members and the CPM cadres clashed with each other, following which armed CPM men allegedly attacked Gokulnagar and broke into the house of the woman in Bijolipura.

The victim was first taken to the Nandigram primary health centre. She was referred to the Tamluk hospital from there, but her relatives and BUPC members took her to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata instead. Her husband, who sustained injuries in the attack, is also under treatment. Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee and Subrata Mukherjee of the Congress met the victim at the hospital.

Accusing the CPM of unleashing a reign of terror, Trinamool leader Sisir Adhikary alleged that the CPM cadres raped the woman because she had participated in a BUPC rally a few days ago. He said the victim was one of those women who were raped after the March 14 police firing last year in which 14 people had lost their lives.

CPM leaders denied the rape charge and blamed the BUPC for creating tension. “The BUPC is levelling false allegations against us. None of our cadres is involved in any rape incident,” said Ashok Guria, district committee member of CPM.

According to the victim’s statement before the doctors, some people broke into her house on Friday night and beat up her husband, Pratap Ari. She said two of them dragged her to a nearby paddy field and raped her.

The hospital authorities have handed over her complaint to the Bhawanipur police, which will be sent to the Nandigram police station shortly.

“We have given her statement to the police. She will undergo USG, X-ray and other tests. A team of doctors has been formed for her treatment,” said Professor Ghosh, superintendent of the SSKM Hospital.

S Panda, Superintendent of Police, East Midnapur, said: “No complaint of rape has been lodged with the Nandigram police till now. We have information that the victim has been admitted to the SSKM Hospital where she has given a statement. When the Nandigram police receives the copy of the statement, a case will be registered.”

Educationist Sunando Sanyal, meanwhile, alleged that the rape was committed in front of the police. “The ruling CPM is again creating an atmosphere of fear ahead of panchayat elections. The State Election Commission (SEC) cannot avoid its responsibility in the matter,” said Sanyal.

BUPC leaders said the CPM cadres were attacking their men and raping women to impose their control before the panchayat polls due in May. “Since panchayat elections are approaching, the CPM is trying to terrorise the villagers. They have declared that anyone who files a nomination against them will be killed,” said Sisir Adhikary.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various parts of Nandigram, including Bhangabera, Sonachura and Garchakraberia. Gunfire was exchanged between armed BUPC activists and CPM cadres at various places, it is learnt.