Nine CPI(M) workers, among 11 killed: Subhas

Kolkata, Jan 8 (UNI) West Bengal Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty today claimed that 11 people, including nine CPI-M workers, had become victims of Nandigram violence in East Midnapore district over proposed land acquisition for a Salim SEZ project.

"I can tell you that 11 people have died. Nine of them belong to the CPI-M," he told reporters here.

The government has so far confirmed death of six persons in yesterday's violence at Nandigram. Mr Chakraborty also ruled out involvement of outsiders in the violence as claimed by his party.

He further claimed that crude bombs were manufactured at nearby Contai and used during the violence. "I have information that nearly 1,000 bombs were brought from a single place at Contai. If I can get the information sitting here, why can't the police," he asked raising a few eyebrows.

He blamed the opposition Trinamool Congress and Congress for the trouble and claimed Congress's opposition to the IISCO's expansion inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In reply to a question, he said that state-run buses and trams were running "in full strength" during the day's bandh.

UNI