Widespread violence in Nandigram, one shot dead

Nandigram, Aug 7 (UNI) A CPI(M) supporter was shot dead allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists at the Gadupara area near here today, even as a 24-hour Nandigram bandh paralysed life.

Superintendent of Police, East Midnapore, S S Panda said CPI(M) supporter Dulal Gadu was shot dead when he was participating in a procession.

Yesterday, Niranjan Mandal, secretary of the CPI(M)'s Rajaramchak local committee, was gunned down by unidentified miscreants at Kendamari under Nandigram police station in East Midnapore district.

Armed encounters were still on between the rival parties at Gokulnagar, Sonachura, Bhangabera and Adhikarypara areas in Nandigram, Mr Panda added.

The SP, along with Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Kuldeep Sinha and DIG, Midnapore, Praveen Kumar, rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

On Tuesday, CPI(M)'s Sonachura local committee secretary Jaideb Pyke was critically injured when unidentified gunmen fired at him.

Local Trinamool leader Abu Taher, however, alleged that three of their supporters had received bullet injuries while one was kidnapped by CPI(M) activists.

But CPI(M) zonal committee secretary Ashok Guria said, ''Armed Trinamool and BUPC activists are attacking our party cadres. A large number of our party supporters are now fleeing the area.'' The Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) and a heavy police contingent had been deployed even as tension prevailed in the area.

Meanwhile, the 24-hour bandh call given by the CPI(M), Trinamool as well as the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) affected life in Nandigram. Roads were deserted, ferry service between Nandigram and Haldia was suspended and business and educational institution remained closed. Offices registered poor attendance.

UNI XC DPM PL GL VC1651