Bangla bandh continues amid sporadic violence

Kolkata, Jan 08 (UNI) 10 policemen were injured in a clash with the villagers in Nandigram in East Midnapore district this morning s life was partially affected in West Bengal today in the opposition sponsored 24-hour Bangla bandh.

IG(Law and Order) Raj Kanojia, however, told UNI that no major untoward incident has so far been reported elsewhere from the state, though police made a number of arrests to enable movement of vehicles.

A group of people burnt down the CPI(M) party office at log-gate at Dinabandhupur village under Nandigram PS as sporadic incidents of group clash poured in from the area since midnight last night.

Most of the shops in the city downed their shutters and financial inistitutions also remained closed. Most of the school and colleges also remained closed today.

Though some vehicles plied the roads, the city generally sported a holiday look.

However, train services were severly affected as Congress and Trinamool supporters put up blockades at several places. At Ramrajatola in Howrah district, Congress and RPF had a scuffle as they tried to put up a blockade. Bandh supporters also squatted on the tracks at Katwa, Rampurhat, Sreerampore, Rishra and Kamarpukur sections of Eastern Railways.

Heavy deplyoment of police and paramilitary forces in different parts of the city made sure that there was no untoward incident in the city.

However, the industrial belts of West bengal functioned normally. The tea gatrdens also functioned like the other days.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress called 24-hour Bangla Bandh protesting against the Saturday night's violence at Nandigram in East Midnapore district in connection with the alleged rumours regarding the governments forceful acqusition of farmland.

All India Trinamool Congress in the name Krishi Jami Raskya Committee(committee for protection of farm land) have also called a 12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours protesting against the alleged police atrocities on innocent farmers in Nandigram violating the government's assurance for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

Seven people have lost their lives in group clashes in Nadigram.

Meanwhile, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu asked the government to initiate all possible steps to restore peace in Nandigram and urged the people to discard the bandh call given by the opposition.

"The people of the state are democracy loving. They will decide whether they will like another bandh. Public transport will be available and even if there is a derth I request the people to go out on foot," he said.

UNI