Six people were killed in a clash between CPI(M) workers and farmers at the proposed site for a chemical SEZ to be set up by Indonesia’s Salim Group.
KOLKATA: Six people were killed in West Bengal on Sunday in a clash between CPI(M) workers and those opposing land acquisition at Nandigram in East Midnapore district, proposed site for a chemical special economic zone to be set up by Indonesia’s Salim Group.
Trouble had been brewing in Nandigram since a minor clash on January 3. The police reaction had been muted after criticism of the police action in Singur, site of the Tata small car project. It was hoped that the situation would gradually cool down.
But villagers dug up approach roads, broke bridges, and set up roadblocks to isolate Nandigram. Such was the intensity of local opposition that CPI(M) workers and leaders in the area fled their homes and took shelter in temporary camps. In fact, even hours after reports of the clash trickled in, police could not reach the spot because the roads had been rendered useless.
The clash itself was sparkled off on Saturday night when members of the Krishijami Raksha Committee — a platform comprising Trinamul Congress, Socialist Unity Centre of India, and Naxalites — reportedly attacked a camp where CPI(M) supporters had taken refuge. Bombs, muskets, swords, and daggers were used in the clash that continued till early on Sunday. According to reports, the attackers shouted slogans of ‘Krishijami Raksha Committee zindabad’.
Of the six people killed, three have been identified as CPI(M) supporters and the rest as Krishijami Raksha Committee members. Some 12 villagers are reported to be missing.
Several others are injured.Coming close on the heels of the state government’s face-off with opposition parties over Singur, the killings bode ill for it. They are being viewed as further evidence of the state’s inability to acquire farm land without raising hackles.
The Trinamool and BJP have called for a 12-hour bandh on Monday. Soon after, the Congress and the SUCI called for a 24-hour bandh.
Situation continues to be tense
Situation continues to be tense in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Sunday night. The villagers were keeping a vigil and passing sleepless night fearing fresh troubles even as the police were patrolling the roads to instill confidence among the people.
With the roads still dug up and boulders placed here and there by the villagers, it was very difficult to approach interior areas while police were conducting thorough checks in roads particularly in NH 42 in search of armed people suspected to have carried out the violent clashes late Saturday night.
The villagers were still awake even at the dead of the night for fear of being attacked. Outsiders were under strict watch both by the villagers and police.
A contingent of the RAF was stated to have entered the interior areas of the villages in search of the attackers.
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