Artistes demand 'effective deployment' of CRPF in Nandigram

Kolkata, May 6 (UNI) Expressing concern over the Nandigram situation, artistes and social activists today demanded 'effective deployment' of Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) to ensure free and fair panchayat election in the area.

At a meeting with West Bengal Election Commissioner Ashok Gupta, a delegation of artistes, including filmmaker Aparna Sen and painter Suvaprasanna, also demanded action against the policemen, indicted by the CBI for firing on villagers on March 14 last year.

''If violence is not stopped, the election in Nandigram will be a farce. CRPF personnel must be deployed in a way that there is no violence and people's confidence in the administration is restored,'' Ms Sen said.

She said the delegation had submitted a memorandum to the state Election Commissioner.

A section of artistes and intellecutals, who were up in arms against the state Government following the Nandigram police firing, constituted a forum to take to the street and hold rallies against what they called the partisan administration.

Unrest resurfaced in Nandigram over the past few days as supporters of the Trinamool Congress-led Bhumi Uchched Protirodh Committee and CPI(M) were engaged in skirmishes.

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