TC and CPI-M cadres clash in Nandigram

NANDIGRAM-WB: Stray incidents of violence were reported from trouble-torn Nandigram as CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress supporters indulged in clashes after the latter swept to power in the panchayat elections in East Midnapur district on anti-land acquisition plank.

Police said that CPI(M) supporters blocked roads with felled trees at Jadurbari Chowk and Bhutar More last night apprehending trouble after the Trinamool Congress' resounding victory in the panchayat polls in Nandigram blocks I and II.

District CPI(M) leader Ashok Guria alleged that TC supporters beat up a CPI(M) activist at Sonachura.
In a complaint to police, he also claimed that homes of three CPI(M) cadres were looted at Doudpur, Bhekutia and Bhimkata last night. Three CPI(M) activists were injured in the violence and admitted to Nandigram Primary Health Centre, Guria said.

However, the charges were refuted by TC, which alleged that the house of Sohem Kazi, who won the Gram Panchayat seat, was ransacked by CPI(M) supporters last night.

The TC has bagged both the zila parishad seats in Nandigram block I besides one of the two zila parishads in Nandigram II and all ten gram panchayat seats.

The party made inroads into the neighbouring CPI(M) stronghold of Khejuri wresting one of the four zila parishad seats from its rival. The Khejuri seat had been with the Left Front for the last 25 years.

Victorious zila parishad candidate and president of the Trinamool-led Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee, spearheading the anti-acquisition movement, has dedicated the victory to the "martyrs of the Nandigram movement".