TMC-CPI(M) activists clash in Nandigram

Supporters of Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) today clashed and resorted to gunfight in the Nandigram-Khejuri area in East Midnapore district, police said.

Intermittent clashes were reported since early morning as a few hundred CPI(M) supporters, who were reportedly living away from homes for a long time after the Trinamool swept the civic polls in West Bengal, tried to re-enter their village at Kamarda bordering Nandigram.

"We have got reports of clashes and gunfight at Kamarda and steps are being taken to quell the unrest," District Superintendent of Police Ashok Biswas said, adding there was no report of any casualty or injury.

The SP said reinforcements had been sent to the area to bring back normalcy. Local leaders of both parties traded charges for triggering the clash.

CPI(M) leader Ashok Guria said the Trinamool Congress supporters had turned on villagers eager to return home after staying away for long out of fear.

Trinamool leader Mamud Sheikh claimed that the ruling party had brought in armed cadres in a truck who were disguised as villagers.

The cadres arrived at CPI(M) office in Kamarda and fired shots towards the adjacent Trinamool local office, Sheikh alleged.

The Nandigram belt had witnessed political clashes since January 2007 over opposition to acquisition of land for setting up a chemical hub and an SEZ.The area, however, remained peaceful for some time since the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.