The trouble-torn Nandigram block-I in West Bengal's East Midnapore district witnessed fresh violence on Saturday, as many houses were set ablaze by mobs.
"There were reports of clashes at Nandigram since Friday night and on Saturday morning. Some houses were set on fire there," Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told PTI in Kolkata.
Nandigram has been witnessing sporadic clashes between supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee, which is spearheading the agitation against land acquisition for a SEZ there.
Members of the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee told a PTI correspondent who visited the troubled areas of Tekhali bazar, Gokulnagar, Jalpai and Kalicharanpur of Nandigram block-I that three of their members were kidnapped by CPI-M workers and were missing.
The missing villagers were identified as Amal Maity of Gokulnagar village, Rangan Das of Kalicharanpur village and Sankar Sihi of Jalpai village.
The IGP, however, said he did not have any report of anyone going missing in Nandigram.
The members alleged a mob of 200 to 300 people also set ablaze four houses, including the bakery run by Maity at Tekhali Bazar village, where jewellery and garment shops were looted.