Nandigram cut off as guns take over

Maoists take charge and block access to outsiders

NANDIGRAM: Nandigram in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district is an island of terror. Access is tough and stories abound of looting and killing.

The clandestine alliance between the right and extreme left in the form of the Trinamool Congress and Maoists has seen a huge deployment of sophisticated arms and explosives  in the area.

The area is out of bounds for the CPI(M) and security forces while visiting mediapersons are frisked thoroughly and their baggage carefully searched. 

With the imminent deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force at Nandigram, the area has become a virtual fortress.  

A group of Maoists from West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulya as well as neighbouring Jharkhand who are adept in explosives and firearms has set up base here.

A committee activist told DNA that a dozen 40-member special action squads have been formed, each of which is under two joint-commanders from the Trinamool and Maoist sides. 

There will be a three-layer resistance to the CRPF or police. While children and women take up the first two, the third layer will have special action squad members with sophisticated weapons holding it out. 

The committee activists have already destroyed connecting roads to Nandigram and built trenches instead. At six major entry points — Ranichak, Tekhali bridge, Taptatti Canal, Giribazar Pool, Talibhata and Bhangabera — they have installed high intensity explosives. 

Special action squad teams are also in place at Garchakraberia, Sonachura and Satengabazar equipped with mortars, self loading rifles, double barrel guns, country-made pistols and muskets.

Two AK47s and a stengun complete the picture. A temporary workshop has been set up at #Sonachura to make country-made single-shooter pistols. 

Students of Jadavpur University and members of a Naxalite student’s union have been entrusted with the responsibility of spreading the propaganda.

Fluent in English, Hindi and Bengali, they lead the teams that check press vehicles coming to Nandigram. 

Local Trinamool MLA, Subhendu Adhikari and Maoist leader, Ranjit Pal oversee the entire process. Pal is wanted by the Kharkhand police for his involvement in the murder of Jharkhand Lok Sabha member, Sunil Mahato.