M A I N   N E W S

Fresh trouble at Nandigram, houses set ablaze

Nandigram, February 17
The trouble-torn Nandigram block-I in West Bengal's East Midnapore district witnessed fresh violence today as many houses were set ablaze by mobs. "There were reports of clashes at Nandigram since last night and this morning. Some houses were set on fire there," IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said in Kolkata.

Though there was no information about the arsonists, he said. Nandigram has been witnessing sporadic clashes between supporters of the CPM 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, said three of their members were kidnapped by CPM 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 persons also set ablaze four houses, including the bakery run by Maity at Tekhali Bazar village, where jewellry and garment shops were looted.
Last night bombs were hurled at Talpatti and Bhangabera and planks thrown on dug up roads to facilitate traffic were removed to deny entry to the villages. — PTI