Firing, bombs hurled in Nandigram

Violence erupted in Nandigram once again on Friday as bombs were hurled and guns fired in Bhangaberia area of Nandigram, the scene of the March 14 violence.

However, there were no reports of any casualty.

East Midnapore district police Superintendent G Srinivas said the firing and hurling of bombs lasted for about an hour and stopped at around 12 noon.

However, he did not say whether it was the Communist Party of India-Marxist or the anti-displacement Bhumi Uched Pratirodh Committee, which was involved in the violence.

"I am trying to send police reinforcements in the area," Srinivas said.

BUPC leader Milon Pradhan claimed that the firing and the bomb-throwing was done by the CPI-M cadre following the visit of Trinamool Congress chief Mamta Banerjee on April 25 in Nandigram, who is stiffly opposing acquisition of farmland for industries in the state.

"The CPI-M cadres are forcibly trying to enter Sonachura (a BUPC-dominated area) through Bhangaberia to perpetuate violence," he claimed.

CPI-M leaders could not be contacted.

Fourteen people were killed at Nandigram in police firing on March 14.