Nandigram simmers, Bengal on the boil

TESTING TIMES: Due to the growing unrest in Nandigram, Bengal's intelligentsia compared Buddha to Narendra Modi.

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Kolkata / New Delhi: Kolkata woke up to deserted streets on Monday morning as shutters were down, and most of the public transport was off the roads due to the Opposition-sponsored bandh. The Congress, SUCI and BJP have called a 48-hour statewide bandh while the Trinamool Congress has threatened to paralyse life for an indefinite period in protest against continuing violence and killings in Nandigram.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements in view of the bandh. More than 5,000 Central paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, Nandigram remains tense. The CPI-M cadre regained control over most of the areas before the Central forces reached the troubled region. But for Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the troubles are far from over with the party coming under increasing pressure from its own allies.

Protests and repressive action dominated an unusually busy Sunday in Kolkata, as the Nandigram issue continued to simmer.

Political developments followed in quick successions and for the first time in 30 years, serious cracks emerged in the Left Front. All the smaller allies blamed CPI-M for turning Nandigram into the killing fields of Bengal, with prominent ministers offering to resign over the issue.

"The CPI-M wants bloodshed just to recapture territory," State PWD minister and senior RSP leader Kshiti Goswami alleged. “It’s the sole responsibility of the state government to protect people in Nandigram. I don't know if they are CPI-M or Trinamool activists. To me, they all are human beings.”

The cracks were more prominent in the state's socio-intellectual conscience. Bengal's intelligentsia, which has always been a Left bastion, hit the streets and compared Bhattacharjee to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“People were peacefully protesting when they were fired at by the CPM cadres. An 11-year-old boy was shot in his head. He’s okay now but he can't go home since his home in ashes,” renowned director-actress Aparna Sen said.

So, it won't be a busy Monday morning for the people of the state, and Bengal’s infamous bandh culture is back for the day.

Fresh arson and gunfire in Nandigram

Fresh arson and gunfire between rival groups rocked Nandigram on Sunday as CPI-M took control of strongholds of an anti-farmland acquisition group backed by Opposition Trinamool Congress.

Sonachura and Garchakraberia under Nandigram Block I were recaptured by CPI-M as many houses were set ablaze and looted and people kidnapped after exchange of fire between CPI-M and Trinamool-supported Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee.

Meanwhile, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday managed to enter Tamluk in East Midnapore district on a motorcycle amidst high drama despite blockades by CPI-M. She also visited the injured in a nearby hospital.

(With inputs from Sumon K Chakrabarti and agencies)