Gunfire in Nandigram, normal life paralysed in WB

Gunfire, arson and looting allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist activists was reported from recaptured Bhumi Ucched Pratirod Committee strongholds of Garchakraberia, Sonachura and Gokulnagar in Nandigram on Monday.

The bandh called by the entire opposition paralysed normal life in West Bengal.

"CPI-M cadres are firing, setting houses on fire and looting to scare away our supporters still remaining in the areas," district Youth Congress leader and BUPC member Milan Pradhan said in Nandigram. Pradhan claimed that at least 200 persons were missing from the areas since Sunday night. He said, on Monday morning, the police escorted his father, who the CPI-M cadre had kidnapped on Sunday and taken to Khejuri.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who has given a call to paralyse the state over the violence in Nandigram, was staying in Tamluk in East Midnapore. Police sources said a state bus was set afire at Moulali and another was stoned at Chowringhee in Kolkata by supporters of the bandh. Another bus was set on fire at Sagardanga near Durgapur in Burdwan district.

CPI-M supporters clashed at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district centering a road blockade. Forty five persons were arrested following the clashes, the police said. Very few government and private buses and trams could be seen in Kolkata, while train services in the Eastern and South Eastern railway were hit by blockades.

All wholesale markets in Kolkata were closed, with a few shops open in some areas. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and a few ministers attended office.