Gandhi left the metropolis early in order to have a first hand view of the situation at Nandigram, which has witnessed large-scale violence and loss of lives since January this year.

The Governor interacted with the affected villagers and refugees to know their plight.

At the refugee camp at Braja Mohon Tiwari High School, where the anti-acquisition Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee supporters are sheltered, the people narrated their plight and expressed fear in returning to their homes.

They claimed they were afraid of reprisals and further violence once they returned to their villages.

Gandhi, who has recently earned the wrath of the top leadership of the ruling CPI-M for terming the manner of recapture of the Nandigram villages as 'unlawful and unacceptable', gave them a patient hearing.

He had met Union Home minister Shivraj Patil on November 29 and briefed him on the situation there.