CRPF, Mamata barred from entering Nandigram

Statesman News Service, 12 November

NANDIGRAM, Nov. 11: As the battle to regain ‘lost ground’ continued in Nandigram with armed CPI-M cadres and Bhumi Ucched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) supporters training their guns at each other, Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee was not allowed to enter the trouble-torn areas by CPI-M cadres. Later reports said some CRPF personnel were prevented from entering the area by suspected women cadres of the CPI-M.

One injured in yesterday’s firing died at the Tamluk District Hospital today. Tapas Khatua, a resident of Gopalnagar, succumbed to injuries in the wee hours today taking the official death toll in yesterday’s firing to three, with over 30 feared dead unofficially.

Three other BUPC members are still battling for their lives while several others remained missing till late this evening.

The CPI-M, meanwhile, recaptured portions of Garchakraberia, Sonachura, Adhikaripara and Gokulnagar villages today, all of which, are known to be BUPC strongholds. Fearing fresh attacks, a large number of people from these villages went to undisclosed places. It was learnt that armed CPI-M cadres took out victory rallies in several villages.

The CPI-M brought out rallies at the villages it had captured in the past four days and a few hundred residents of Samsabad village left their homes, fearing fresh attacks by CPI-M cadres who fired three bullets in the air this afternoon.

Unconfirmed reports said that the body of a middle-aged man, believed to be a victim of yesterday’s firing, was found in a canal at Khejuri this morning. Police, however, dismissed the report, terming it as a rumour.

Meanwhile, Miss Banerjee sat on a dharna near Maniktala crossing, off Mecheda-Digha Road, demanding withdrawal of the blockades. She alleged that CPI-M cadres today fired bullets in the air to scare off the villagers. Earlier in the day, Miss Banerjee, who was gheraoed by CPI-M cadres at Kolaghat on her way to Nandigram last night, tried to enter Nandigram from three places, but was forced to return as CPI-M cadres blocked the way.

Miss Banerjee visited Tamluk District Hospital this afternoon where a few BUPC supporters, who were injured in yesterday’s firing, are undergoing treatment.
Miss Banerjee, who spent the night at a government guesthouse at Kolaghat, entered Tamluk via Radhamoni in a motorcycle this morning under tight police protection.
Later in the afternoon, Miss Banerjee met SP Midnapore East, Mr Satya Shankar Panda to take stock of the situation prevailing in violence-hit villages.

Meanwhile, five companies of CRPF reached Howrah railway station this afternoon and they are expected to reach Nandigram tomorrow morning, said Mr AK Singh, a CRPF spokesperson.