Bombs hurled, people beaten up in Nandigram

Violence again flared up on Sunday in Nandigram, the site of violent protests over the proposed acquisition of land for a SEZ, as bombs were hurled, gunshots fired and people beaten up.

Since Saturday night, bombs were being hurled from Khejuri towards Nandigram and gunshots were heard in Kedorabarchak area, a PTI correspondent said.

Sporadic clashes have occurred since Friday night in Nandigram between supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee, which is spearheading the protest against land acquisition for a SEZ to be set up there by Indonesia's Salem Group.

Satyen Karan, a resident of Dangra locality, was beaten up when he went to Tekhali Bazar on Saturday and found his shop being looted.

Karan, who filed a complaint with the police, was admitted to a primary health centre in Nandigram.

A copy of the complaint, with the police seal, was shown to the correspondent.

Amalendu Maity, who was injured by armed persons on Saturday, was released after first-aid. He also informed police about the attack.

Houses were set ablaze, shops were looted and some people were reported missing from the area on Saturday.

The Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee on Sunday organised a procession in Tekhali Bazar to protest the looting of shops and damage to property on Saturday.

BUPC convenor Sheikh Sufiyan on Sunday vowed that the body would resist attempts by the CPI-M to foment trouble in the area. He said 11 shops were looted in Tekhali Bazar on Saturday.

BUPC members alleged that a mob of 200 to 300 CPI-M supporters set ablaze four houses, including a bakery at Tekhali Bazar village, where jewellery and garment shops were looted.