No untoward incident in Nandigram

Nandigram, ''recaptured'' by the CPI(M), remained incident free for the third day on Saturday, even as fear still stalked the area despite patrols by CRPF personnel.

CPI(M)'s flags were seen everywhere, whether on houses, trees or planted in paddy fields ready for harvest.

Many Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters, some of whom had belonged to the marxist party before January's outbreak of violence and were driven out, making them seek shelter in relief camps, were ''afraid'' of returning home because of fear of ''retaliation'' by the CPI(M).

''It is sad that the CPI(M) has to dominate with brute force the same people who used to swear allegiance to the party for years,'' said a BUPC supporter who refused to be identified at a relief camp in Nandigram.

The CRPF, patrolling interior areas, had warned the CPI(M)'s bike brigade, and arrested one of them for going around on a motorcycle, allegedly without registration plates.

The man, identified as Bacchu Karan, was handed over to the police by the CRPF, Circle Inspector of Mahishadal Swapan Kumar Dey said.

A large convoy of the West Bengal police led by senior officers also entered Nandigram during the day.

HC order on Nandigram an interference: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) on Saturday dubbed the Calcutta High Court order declaring the March 14 police firing in Nandigram ''wholly unconstitutional'', as ''interference in the state and Centre's jurisdiction'' and urged the West Bengal government to move the Supreme Court.

''The High Court's order on Nandigram is an interference in the state and Centre's jurisdiction. We are urging the state government to move the Supreme Court. If High Court has the last word on everything, what is the use of the legislature and the executive?'' said Biman Bose, leader, CPI(M).

Bose, who is the Left Front chairman and a CPI(M) Politburo member, questioned ''Will the court decide the government's course of action?

''If the court tries to rule over the two other pillars of democracy, what is the need of the legislature and the executive? The court has suddenly turned proactive on Nandigram,'' he said.

He also criticised Governor Gopalkrisha Gandhi, who has indicted the state government, saying the ''recapture'' of Nandigram was ''unlawful and unacceptable''.

''The governor is playing a partial role on the Nandigram issue,'' he said.

''Why did not the governor show concern when CPI(M) supporters were attacked and driven out of Nandigram?'' he asked.

Senior CPI(M) leader Benoy Konar said ''Raj Bhavan and the court have joined hands against the democratically elected government in the state.

''It is because of the governor that the High Court took up the case on Nandigram,'' he alleged.

''The governor is also a citizen, he can take up the Trinamool Congress flag and join politics. But he cannot do this while being an occupant of Raj Bhavan,'' he said.

Nandigram: WB Governor meets Basu

West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who has indicted the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government for the violence in Nandigram, met CPI(M) patriarch Jyoti Basu on Monday in order to seek his initiative to restore peace.

''I am sure that his initiatives will bring back peace in Nandigram,'' the governor said after a 40-minute meeting with the former chief minister at his Salt Lake residence.

''I have come to pay my respects to Basu and I have full confidence in him.''

Asked if he would speak to Chief Minister, Gandhi replied, ''the Chief Minister will talk to me.''

About the CRPF personnel being prevented from entering Nandigram by CPI(M) cadres, he said ''I am sure he (chief minister) will take adequate steps.''

Before the governor's visit, CPI(M) state Secretary Biman Bose had a 30-minute meeting with Basu.

Bose, who returned to Kolkata on Sunday in the midst of the CPI(M) politburo meeting in Delhi, said that he had briefed Basu on the developments in Nandigram and submitted a report to him.

BJP reacts

Conflicting statements from the BJP over the Nandigram issue have lent a whole different angle to the ongoing political turmoil.

While the saffron party president Rajnath Singh, speaking in Bangalore on Monday, demanded the dismissal of the West Bengal government, senior leader and former home minister L K Advani had earlier refused to acknowledge that there is a constitutional breakdown in the state.