Post-poll violence has forced Nandigram in East Midnapore to relive the memories it wanted to forget in these 14 years. Only, the political colours have changed.
Ill-fated nights of people guarding their villages against impending attacks are back in the aftermath of the May 2 poll results in which chief minister Mamata Banerjee was defeated by her former protégé and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in a close fight in this constituency, despite Trinamul’s massive victory overall.
Fourteen years ago, during the anti-land acquisition movement in the Left Front era, Nandigram’s people would guard their villages against police excesses and political adversaries in a similar manner.
For the last four days, residents of Sonachhura, Kendamari, Kalicharanpur, Muhammadpur, Satengabari, Birulia and Haripur, spread across Nandigram blocks 1 and 2, have been on night patrol in their localities. Sources said that villagers — irrespective of political colour — have deployed themselves in at least 100 points across Nandigram.
These “guards” alert other villagers of an imminent attack by blowing whistles and ringing phones. As part of a relay, when others get these “signals”, they blow conches and ring bells to alert more people.
“BJP supporters are being targeted by Trinamul goons,” alleged Joydeb Halder of Sauthkhali village under Sonachura panchayat. “We don’t want these goons to enter. So we are guarding our villages since May 4.”
Sources said Mamata’s defeat was sealed by votes polled by the electorate of Sonachura panchayat. Suvendu got the final edge over Mamata because people of Sonachura majorly voted in his favour. “This is why our villages (under the panchayat) are facing most attacks,” Halder added.
Sonachura is also the site of the police firing that claimed 14 lives on March 14, 2007.
People involved in the anti-land acquisition movement that worked as a catalyst in Mamata’s ascension to power in 2011 are unhappy.
“We had fought against the CPM like this 14 years back. Didn’t expect a similar situation under Mamata Banerjee. The police are inactive. People don’t trust the administration and hence are forced to protect themselves,” said Sabuj Pradhan, a leader of the anti-land acquisition movement.
However, a resident of Mansabazar, Samiran Das said goons were creating havoc “irrespective of party colour”. Trinamul supporters have also been affected in the post-poll violence, he said.
“They (attackers) are not bothered about political affiliation. They are attacking villagers and leaving after looting,” Das said. He added that residents are taking turns to guard their villages.
Local BJP leader Proloy Pal said his party leadership asked him to set up human barricades to resist attacks.
Though local Trinamul leaders admitted to post-poll clashes in Nandigram, they alleged the BJP was trying to blow things out of proportion. “Rumours are being spread to create tension. We have set up a Nandigram Citizen’s Committee and are guarding villages. In case of any incident, we are calling the police. We are organising peace rallies across Nandigram,” said Trinamul leader Abu Taher.
Amarnath K., the new East Midnapore SP, said the administration had increased night patrol in Nandigram. A company of central force is stationed. “Police are going to people to say there is no need for them to guard their villages at night. Police will take care.”
At least 1,000 homes and shops have been ransacked in Nandigram since May 2. A similar number of people, supporters of both BJP and Trinamul, have been attacked, too.