Revoke prohibitory orders in Bengal village: Congress

The Congress Saturday demanded return of normalcy in the violence-hit Makhra village in West Bengal's Birbhum district where prohibitory orders have been clamped following the death of three people in political clashes Monday.

With the village being kept out of bounds for the opposition, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused the Mamata Banerjee government of "terrorizing" the villagers by clamping prohibitory orders.

Led by Chowdhury, a Congress delegation sought to enter the village but was prevented by a huge contingent of police and security personnel who have been camping there following the clash allegedly between activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

At least 20 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes, which have led to protests by opposition parties.

There was also pushing and shoving with security personnel when Congress activists tried to break barriers and force their way in.

"Devoid of basic amenities including food and drinking water, the condition of the villagers is pitiable to say the least. By clamping prohibitory orders, the administration is terrorizing the people who have been living in the shadow of fear," Chowdhury said.

"I urge the state government to revoke the prohibitory orders and facilitate return of normalcy in the village. If the state government fails to do that quickly we will be forced to intensify our agitation," said Chowdhury.

The administration has been preventing the opposition Congress, the BJP and the Left Front from visiting the village.

Both the BJP and the Left Front have sought the intervention of Governor K.N. Tripathi in the matter.