CPI(M) recaptures area in Nandigram before panchayat poll

Nandigram (WB), May 5: In a re-enactment of recapture of Nandigram in November last year, armed CPI(M) cadres today took control of a stronghold of an opposition Trinamool Congress-backed outfit, spearheading an agitation against acquisition of farmland, ahead of next Sunday's panchayat poll.East Midnapore district superintendent of police S Panda said Roynagar, Jambari and Simalkunda areas in Satengabari village witnessed violence with guns and bombs being used.He, however, declined to identify the attackers.The TC-supported Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee members said armed CPI(M) cadres on motorcycles hurled bombs and opened fire at Satengabari before capturing it, forcing 3,000 BUPC supporters to flee their homes.After the recapture, the CPI(M) cadres attacked a relief camp where 300 BUPC members were sheltered at Maheshpur, they said.Five BUPC supporters were missing after the attack, they alleged.CPI(M) district secretariat member Ashok Guria admitted his partymen had carried out an operation but claimed it was to rescue three CPI(M) men.He claimed a CPI(M) cadre was shot by BUPC activists and four others were injured. ''They (BUPC) opened fire and our men retaliated.''

400 displaced after CPM-Trinamool clash in Nandigram

Nandigram: A fresh clash between supporters of the State's ruling CPM and those of the Opposition Trinamool Congress erupted in Nandigram on Sunday even as 400 villagers were sheltered in relief camps following mounting violence in the run up to coming panchayat elections.

Police said two groups of the rival political parties clashed with bombs at Sonachura on Sunday morning. No one was, however, injured.

Official sources said the displaced villagers had been sheltered in two relief camps near the BDO office in Nandigram and adjacent Maheshpur for the past few days. They have come from Sonachura and Garchakrabaria villages.