Nandigram: Violence erupts again before election

Prasanta Mondol, a noted TMC leader was killed by some unidentified persons on Friday, at the Sherkhan Chak. His wife was allegedly raped by the assailants. Mondol was the secretary of Khejuri II block

CJ: SOMAK SEN

Sun, May 03, 2009 14:02:46 IST

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Lok Sabha Elections News :

VIOLENCE ERUPTED again in Nandigram, just four days before the fourth phase of the 15th Lok Sabha election is to take place in East Midnapore district of West Bengal on May 7.

The political clash in Khejuri village between two rival groups – CPIM and TMC, which started in Friday night, spread panic among the villagers.

Prasanta Mondol, a noted TMC leader was killed by some unidentified persons on Friday night, at the Sherkhan Chak. His wife was allegedly raped by the assailants. Mondol was the secretary of Khejuri II block. Mondal, who left CPIM and joined TMC months ago, was leading the opponents there.

The TMC supporters protested against the ruling LF government throughout the district on Saturday. After the Panchayat election, this is the first instance of murder in the Khejuri-Nandigram region. No offender has yet been arrested.

Reports of sporadic violence have also been reported till last night. The West Bengal police has cordoned off the entire region.

While speaking to the media, a noted CPI-M leader said, “Now, Khejuri is strategically more important than Nandigram as the area holds the key to victory in the Contai parliamentary seat. ”

The Left Front party candidates were defeated to the TMC candidates in both Nandigram I and II blocks in the last Panchayat election. After that most of the CPIM supporters left their houses, fearing the TMC cadres.

Ashok Bera, a CPIM zonal secretary said to the media, “It is hard to get a lead from Nandigram as we fear most of our supporters will not be allowed to cast their votes by Trinamool gangs.”

According to some East Midnapore district CPIM leaders, armed TMC activists do not let the CPIM supporters enter in the villages. TMC also coordinates with the Maoists to create panic among the CPIM supporters.

In 2004 Lok Sabha election, Khejuri gave the biggest lead for the LF candidate in the Contai constituency. Prasanta Pradhan is now contesting on CPIM ticket from Contai seat against TMC’s Sisir Adhikari. A tough contest is expected between CPI candidate Gurudas Dasgupta and TMC’s Nure Alam Chowdhury for the Ghatal seat.

To carry out peaceful election in the East Midnapore district on May 7, the Election Commission has announced that it would take stringent steps.

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