Shops, houses set afire in Nandigram

Nandigram: The on-going protests against the proposed SEZ project in Nandigram, turned violent as CPIM members intervened and allegedly burnt houses and fired gun shots in the area.

Members of Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee—the organization spearheading the protests—said the CPIM men hurled bombs and fired gunshots at people on Sunday.

Over 11 shops were ransacked in the Tekhali Bazar area. BUPC members alleged that a mob of over 300 CPI-M supporters set ablaze houses, including a bakery at Tekhali Bazar village, where jewellery and garment shops were looted.

Satyen Karan, a resident of Dangra locality, was beaten up when he went to Tekhali Bazar and found his shop being looted. Houses were set ablaze, shops were looted and some people were reported missing from the area on Saturday.

The Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee organised a procession in Tekhali Bazar to protest the looting of shops and damage to property. BUPC convenor Sheikh Sufiyan vowed that the body would resist attempts by the CPI-M to foment trouble in the area.

With PTI inputs