Several policemen were injured in the clashes in Bhangar, which is 40 km from Kolkata
A day after one person was killed in firing in Bhangar, near Kolkata, during clashes between villagers and the police over land acquisition for a power sub-station, locals have blocked roads leading to the project site. Refusing to clear the area, the protesters want assurance from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the land will not be acquired forcibly.
Some locals claimed police opened fire while trying to flee the area, outnumbered by thousands of angry villagers. Others claimed criminals loyal to a local Trinamool leader were behind the violence. The police have denied opening fire. "Outsiders with arms entered the place and created problems. Injuries were due to cross fire between outsiders," said Additional Director General of Police Anuj Sharma.
Several policemen, according to the senior officials, were injured in heavy brickbatting; at least one police bus was set on fire and several other vehicles vandalised. Bombs were also thrown at the policemen, caught between protesters who had blocked the Haroa Road at two different points, they said.
According to police sources, the involvement of Maoists is suspected as well as ultra-Left students from universities and colleges in Kolkata. Some students of Jadavpur University were allegedly seen on the spot as well as members of CPI-ML Red Star.
"Yes we don't live here but we have the right to help locals in their fight for what is right. Bhangar is not just a mini-Singur or Nandigram. It is a maxi-Singur-Nandigram," CPI-ML Red Star leader Pradip Singha told NDTV.
"This is a do or die battle for us. We urge Mamata Banerjee to remove the power grid. We are all Trinamool supporters. But she must listen to our problems," a local said.
Trouble was simmering in the area for two months against a power substation being set up by the Power Grid Corporation of India.
Villagers claimed 16 acres of farm land was allegedly acquired forcibly for the project. They were told a power plant would come up. Instead, they saw a power grid with high tension wires.
Scientists told them the grid would ruin farm land in the area, affect the health of people and destroy the environment, said villagers.
Today, villagers blocked roads from the morning after police allegedly detained at least two leaders of their movement.
The local Trinamool legislator Rezzak Mollah was not allowed to enter the area by villagers though Mamata Banerjee asked him to go.
The power minister today asked why the villagers were agitating as he had said the project was put on hold.
In the evening, Trinamool Congress issued a statement quoting Mamata Banerjee saying there would be no forcible acquisition of land and the power grid would be shifted if required. Within an hour, however, the Trinamool statement was withdrawn.