CPM prepares to regain lost ground

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=1&id=202183&usrsess=1

Rajib Chatterjee
NANDIGRAM, Oct. 30: With CPI-M supporters slowly taking control of villages surrounding Nandigram, the residents are apprehending an attack on the lines of one mounted by CPI-M cadres with the help of police on 14 March last.
A visit to Nandigram and its outskirts revealed that the CPI-M had started mobilising cadres in all neighbouring villages of Nandigram, which the Bhumi Ucched Protirodh Committee (BUPC) controls at the moment. The move is being seen as a first step towards bringing Nandigram under the Leftist sway. Apart from this, the CPI-M Midnapore (East) district committee has decided to pressure police to launch a combing operation in trouble-torn villages of Nandigram for what party leaders say, to “nail the criminals unleashing terror on innocent villagers who are loyal to the CPI-M”. The CPI-M has already made inroads into Chandipore, Jhinukkhali, Heriya, Reyapara and Khulnarmore ~ five key places on the outskirts of Nandigram ~ so that it has an easy access to villages of rebel farmers who are fighting a pitched battle against police and party cadres these days. The CPI-M has set up several camps in the five villages to keep a close watch on the movement of BUPC members.
Villages close to Khejuri are already in the CPI-M’s kitty. The party is now looking at Satengabari, Brindabanchowk and Kanongochowk ~ close to Nandigram ~ as its next conquests. When asked about the party’s plan to regain lost ground, Mr Ashoke Guria, a district secretariat member of Midnapore (East) said: “We would tackle the BUPC politically and without the help of administration. We have asked the administration to establish a rule of law in Nandigram. Police have been requested to conduct raids to seize firearms that BUPC members have stored... Our men have been driven out of their homes. It is the duty of the government to protect them and their property. We would ensure safe return of our supporters to their homes.” He dismissed reports that the cadres were planning an attack on their political rivals. Mr Abu Taher, Trinamul Congress leader and a BUPC member, said: “Kalikakhali, Math Chandipur, Narghat are currently being dominated by the CPI-M. We suspect that the Left party is planning attacks on Garchakraberia, Saraswatibazar, Tengua, Basulichowk, Brindabanchowk, Khatengabari, Keyakhali and Sherkhanchowk ~ the BUPC turf. Despite such a possibility, residents are with the BUPC.”