CPI-M, Bhumi Raksha Committee clash in Nandigram

Nandigram, Feb 17(UNI) Violence broke out at Nandigram in West Bengal today, after a month-long lull as rival groups clashed with bombs and guns, heating up tensions in the strife-torn area.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said the violence broke out in Gokulpara village and its adjoining areas in which several houses were damaged.

He, however, said no casualty had so far been reported.

A large contingent of police, including Rapid Action Force(RAF) and combat force personnel, had been deployed in the area.

According to local reports, the clash took place between the members of Bhumi Raksha Committee, comprising Trinamool Congress, SUCI and Naxal activists, and the CPI-M supporters.

Bombs were hurled indiscriminately and gunshots fired, prompting a number of terrorised villagers to leave the area for safety.

The trouble took place after the bloody violence on January 7 that claimed four lives and the subsequent violent incidents, including arson for the next two weeks over the government's reported move to acquire farmlands for setting up of a Special Economic Zone(SEZ).

Today's incident came a day after Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee called an all-party meeting in Nandigram in a bid to restore peace in the embattled area and explain the government's stand on industrialisation.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at the state Secretariat yesterday attended by among others, Industry Minister Nirupam Sen, Home Secetary Prasad Ranjan Ray, Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen and top police officials.

The area is still virtually cut-off from rest of the state with all the roads to about 30 villages under Nandigram Police station being dug up by the local agitators to prevent the entry of outsiders.

With only a ferry service being in operation to link Nandigram with other areas, even police had been kept at length.

UNI