NANDIGRAM: CPM supporters indulged in gunfire, arson and looting in recaptured Bhumi Ucched Pratirod Comittee (BUPC) strongholds of Garchakraberia, Sonachura and Gokulnagar in Nandigram on Monday, a BUPC member alleged.
"CPM cadres are firing, setting houses on fire and looting to scare away our supporters still remaining in the areas," district YC leader and BUPC member Milan Pradhan claimed.
Police was not available for comment. Pradhan claimed that at least 200 persons were missing from the areas since Sunday night. "Armed men set houses on fire and went on a looting spree last night also after recapturing the areas," he said. He said his father, who was kidnapped on Sunday and taken to the CPM stronghold of Khejuri was escorted back on Monday morning by the police, he said.
The opposition-sponsored statewide shutdown today led to shops remaining closed and traffic off the roads in East Midnapore district. Most shopowners left the area. At Nandigram bazar, there was tension with both CPM and BUPC taking out processions, eye witnesses said.