Tension prevails at Nandigram

Tension prevailed at Nandigram on Wednesday, a day after fierce fighting between anti-land acquisition Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters and Communist Party of India-Marxist activists left two persons dead.

There were reports of fresh violence from a few pockets of Nandigram on Wednesday. However, IG (Law &Order) Raj Kanojia denied that any fresh incidents had taken place.

CPI-M and the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters exchanged several rounds of fire on Tuesday at Gokulnagar, Ranichak, Bhangaberia and Satengabari.

Trinamool Congress supporters, meanwhile, took to the streets to protest the violence at Nandigram and blocked Howrah Bridge, Hazra and Syambazar leading to a traffic jam.

East Midnapore Superintendent of Police Satyeswar Panda said road blocks were put up by Trinamool Congress in various parts of the district and a government bus damaged at Nimtauri.

The bus was on way to the sea resort town of Digha from Howrah. Passengers were asked to alight from the bus before it was damaged.

Panda said there was no report of any disturbance at Nandigram since Tuesday night where 400 policemen have been deployed to control the situation. However, locals said bomb explosions were heard both at Nandigram, a BUPC stronghold, and Khejuri, an area dominated by the CPI-M, on Tuesday night.