CPI-M supporters demand security

Under attack for the Nandigram incident, the Communist Party of India-Marxist on Tuesday mobilised about 350 villagers from the area who appealed to Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and state Human Rights Commission Chairman S K Sen to ensure their safety.

"We will go to the governor and the human rights commission as we have been rendered homeless by the activists of the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee who have burnt our houses, and assaulted men, women and children as we are CPI-M supporters," said Sabita Samanta, a villager of Sonachura, one of the places where police opened fire on March 14.

"We will not move from here till we get justice." Addressing the gathering, state CPI-M secretary Biman Bose said, "We don't want fighting between poor people. Reactionary forces have conspired to create a rift among the poor in Nandigram."

Bose said the anti-Left Front forces and ultra-left should answer why so many people had been rendered homeless by the violence in Nandigram.

The protestors will call on the state Women's Commission on Wednesday. Fourteen people lost their lives on March 14 in the police firing and violence in Nandigram, which has witnessed violent protests against the acquisition of land for industries.