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.
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.
Trouble was simmering in the area for two months against a power substation being set up by the Power Grid Corporation of India.
Scientists told them the grid would ruin farm land in the area, affect the health of people and destroy the environment, said villagers.
The local Trinamool legislator Rezzak Mollah was not allowed to enter the area by villagers though Mamata Banerjee asked him to go.
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 Within an hour, however, the Trinamool statement was withdrawn.
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