Bengal bandh partial,govt starts peace process on Nandigram

Kolkata/Nandigram, Jan 8 (UNI) Marked by stray violence, the opposition-sponsored 24-hour Bangla bandh partially affected life today as the government started a peace process in Nandigram, the scene of recent violence over acquisition of land.

An all-party meeting, held in strife-torn Nandigram allowed police to set foot for the first time since the bloody violence yesterday on condition that the government would put hold on the proposed acquisition of land for SEZ.

In a twist to the turn of events, the CPI(M) hinted at an inter-state conspiracy behind the Nandigram violence touching upon the name of social activist Medha Patkar.

Calling for a detective inquiry into what led people from Bihar and Orissa to assemble in a house in the Nandigram police station area, party's state Secretary Biman Basu said the blue print for the recent violence over land acquisition was pre-planned.

Bandh supporters clashed with police, damaged 18 government buses and injured several people in attacks on vehicles and government offices while police lathicharged at several places to disperse the agitators.

The bandh supporters also squatted on railway tracks to disrupt services and put up road blocks affecting vehicular traffic in many places.

Four policemen were injured in Nandigram in a clash with local villagers as members of "Bhumi Uchched Raksha Committee" clashed with them after burning down a CPI(M) office in the morning.

Inspector General of Police(Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said about 2,000 bandh supporters had been arrested throughout the state on chages of violence, obstrucing railway tracks and preventing people from joining duty.

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