More protests in state over SEZs

At least seven persons were injured as police opened fire in Nandigram in East Midnapore, following mob violence related to acquisition of land for a Special Economic Zone...

At least seven persons were injured as police opened fire in Nandigram in East Midnapore, following mob violence related to acquisition of land for a Special Economic Zone SEZ. Among the injured were some Trinamool Congress supporters. A mega SEZ for chemicals is being planned at the site.

Two police vehicles were set on fire by an angry mob that vandalised the local gram panchayat office. The incident occurred early noon today, under the Kalicharanpur gram panchayat 8212; an area in the jurisdiction of the Nandigram police station, East Midnapore.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee later said that no land acquisition notification has been issued at Nandigram.

But a rumour that the panchayat had been served a notice on land acquisition for the project, and that the district magistrate was to reach the Chakraberia village, forced over several thousand people to gather on the Nandigram-Gar-Chakraberia Road.

District Magistrate, East Midnapore, Anup Agarwal told The Indian Express that the cause of the mob violence was not known. 8220;There is no question of serving any notice for land acquisition at this stage. Locals had a clash with the police. I am waiting for the full report,8221; said Agarwal.

Locals said the crowd blocked the road to intercept the cars belonging to district officials. When policemen from the local station 8212; in two jeeps 8212; reached the spot, they were reportedly beaten up. The police vehicles were set on fire. The panchayat office, that also houses the Haldia Unnayan Parishad8217;s local wing, was ransacked.

Raj Kanojia, IG, law and order, said that three policemen were injured in the turmoil 8212; Assistant Sub-Inspectors Rabin Kundu, Ashok Das and constable Sk Ilyas Ahmed. They have been admitted to hospital.

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While the locals alleged police high-handedness including lathicharge, officials denied the charge. Senior police officials have been rushed to the spot, with more enforcement on way. 8220;We do not know if the gathering was opposing any kind of land acquisition. But obviously, there will be arrests,8221; said Kanojia.