Bengal DGP claims only six died at Nandigram

Kolkata, Mar 14 (UNI) Even as official sources in Midnapore announced the death of 12 people in police firing at Nandigram today, the Director General of Police claimed that only six people had so far been killed in violence there, creating more confusion about the actual situation.

Briefing newspersons here this evening, DGP Anup Bhusan Vora asserted that the police firing in Nandigram in East Midnapore district was 'entirely in self defence' as the police had no option but to resort to it after all other attempts to disperse a violent mob by using lathis and bursting tear gas shells failed.

Giving a clear picture about the situation which led to police firing, Mr Vora said the state police force, which entered Bhangachura after nearly two hours of asking the people to calm down, came under attack from a 5,000 odd strong mob armed with bombs and other weapons injuring several policemen in the process.

In order to disperse the mob the police first resorted to lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells. But when even that failed to quell the mob, the police fired several rounds of rubber bullets and ultimately were forced to open fire in which many people were killed and scores injured.

He said though the exact figure of the deceased was yet to be ascertained, only six bodies had so far been recovered.

Claiming that several people were injured, the DGP said among them were 14 police personnel including the Additional Superintendent of Police and the local Circle Inspector.

Describing the situation as ''unfortunate' the DGP, however, maintained that the police had no option but to take extreme step to bring the situation at Nandigram under control.

UNI