Artists to stage counter rally amid Nandigram tension

Kolkata, Nov 15 - Nandigram continued to occupy centrestage in West Bengal Thursday with reports of Marxist cadres intimidating villagers, and several intellectuals readying for a march to express solidarity with the government to counter a mammoth protest rally the day before. `

According to the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists were still targeting BUPC suporters and not allowing the Central Reserve Paramilitary Force (CRPF) to enter villages in the district.

'How can peace return to Nandigram when CRPF men are not being allowed to enter the villages by CPI-M cadres? The paramilitary forces are being allowed to stage flag marches only on the periphery of Nandigram,' said BUPC leader Abdus Samad.

'Several of our supporters have been abducted and beaten up by CPI-M men. Only yesterday three of our supporters were beaten senseless. They have been admitted to hospital in critical condition. Most people are still living in relief camps, and they have nothing to eat,' Samad told IANS.

At least four people have died in the latest upsurge of tension that began when villagers resisted the proposed takeover of their land for a special economic zone (SEZ). Police said no major incidents of violence had been reported.

However, there were incidents of are venge attacks' from several areas in the district.

'Police and paramilitary forces are patrolling the streets of Nandigram. We are holding meetings with the district magistrate and other officials to bring normality in the area,' East Midnapore Superintendent Of Police S.S. Panda said.

'Peace will not return to Nandigram till those living in relief camps are able to return to their homes without any fear,' Panda said, adding that he was talking to panchayats and elders in the villages to restore confidence among the people.

While tension persisted in Nandigram, a section of the city's intellectuals decided to take to the streets to express solidarity with the West Bengal government that has got flak for its alleged partisan attitude.

'It is wrong to portray the West Bengal government or the CPI-M as the main perpetrator of violence in Nandigram. Several people, both belonging to the ruling party as well as the opposition, have been affected. We have organised the rally to march for peace in the violence-racked district,' said actor Arindam Sil, one of the main organisers of the rally.

The rally in which writers, poets, filmmakers and others are expected to participate, comes a day after tens of thousands of people led by directors Mrinal Sen, Rituparna Ghosh and Aparna Sen protested against the government's perceived role in the violence.

Among those who have expressed support to Thursday's rally are writer Sunil Gangopadhyay, magician P.C. Sorcar and actors Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhobi Mukhopadhyay and Mithun Chakraborty.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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