The resistance to people returning home in Nandigram is still strong with rival parties resorting to threats and assaults on each other.Nandigram’s block development officer Asoke Sarkar confirmed that those who had returned home are again back in the camps at Sherkhanchawk in Khejury. Meanwhile, state home secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy said that the Writers Buildings that the displaced are gradually returning to their villages. He admitted there have been sporadic incidents but nothing serious. He also said police will be deployed if the situation so demands. In Kolkata, a division bench comprising Chief Justice S S Nijjar and Justice D P Sen Gupta today directed that all petitions on the police firing at Nandigram will be heard next Wednesday, June 13. There are around 10 petitions pending before the court on the issue. On Monday, counsel for the bar association Shaktinath Mukherjee mentioned before the bench that the petition moved by the bar was not included on the list. After his submission, the bench fixed the next hearing on June 13.Later Amjad Ali, counsel for another petitioner, submitted that the situation in Nandigram continues to remain grave. The safety and security of residents in that area is yet to be restored. According to an earlier order by the division bench, the state government is ready with a status report on Nandigram which is likely to be placed on Wednesday.Asoke Guria, CPI(M) district committee member of East Midnapore, said the state leadership has already been consulted on the issue of homeless villagers in Nandigram. He claimed Trinamool supporters had terrorised Gokulnagar and Simulkahand areas. As a result, CPI(M) supporters who had returned to their villages, left their house again on Saturday night. Guria said it is difficult to convince them to go back again. Local Trinamool leader Sheikh Suffian denied allegations brought by the CPI(M). He said TMC supporters have not forced anyone to leave the area.
