CPM goons attacked my party's supporters: Mamata

Singur, Nov 2 (UNI) Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today alleged that CPM cadres and activists of 'Nano Bachao Committee', along with the police, had conspired to disrupt her public rally and attacked her party's supporters.

Addressing a rally at Khaserchowk Beltala on National Highway two, Ms Banerjee said, ''The CPM goons attacked and injured more than a thousand of my party supporters and torched their houses. The police and administration remained a silent spectator and did nothing to stop the ruling party's cadres.

''We were carrying out our agitational programme in a completely peaceful manner and had also taken prior permission from the administration for holding the rally. But the CPM activists assaulted our party workers to disrupt our democratic movement,'' she said.

She demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, holding him responsible for the violent clashes.

''The Chief Minister no longer has any right to remain in power when the Leader of the Opposition is attacked in front of the police and the police remains a silent spectator to the atrocities,'' she said.

She appealed to her party's supporters to maintain their composure and not retaliate to the provocations of the rival party's cadres.

She also announced to organise a rally at Gandhi Mukti Maidan in Kolkata tomorrow in protest against the CPM's attacks on Trinamool supporters and the alleged inaction of the police.

''We will also hold demonstrations in front of all the police stations of the state tomorrow in protest against today's entire episode at Singur. We will carry out peaceful and democratic movement against the atrocites of the ruling party,'' she added.

At least ten people were injured as Trinamool Congress and CPM cadres clashed in various parts of Hooghly district.

Activists of the 'Nano Bachao Committee' had raised a blockade near Ratanpur crossing on National Highway two to prevent entry of Ms Banerjee to Singur since this morning.

In retaliation, Trinamool workers torched the office of the Syndicate of construction material suppliers for the small car project following which clashes erupted at Ratanpur, Kolepara, Ghanshyampur, Bora and other areas near NH two.

The supporters of the 'Nano Bachao Committee' also attacked Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partha Chatterjee's convoy near Ghanshyampur as it was proceeding towards Singur for Ms Banerjee's rally.

Mr Chatterjee escaped with minor injuries but the agitators damaged his car completely.

The CPM cadres also raised a blockade at Maitypara of Dankuni, about 25 km from Singur, and stopped Ms Banerjee's car.

Huge contingent of security forces and senior police officials, including the Srerampore SDPO and Chandannagore SDPO Amitava Maity, were present on the spot to maintain law and order.

Police also lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob.

Traffic movement on both the flanks of Durgapur Expressway remained disrupted since this morning as the protestors raised black flags and brandished placards saying 'Go Back Mamata'.

UNI XC DPM RL AS1822