The fallout of the Nandigram land agitation and the subsequent political turmoil had forced CPM leader Himangshu Das to stay out of East Midnapore’s Khejuri for 11 years but his decision to stand by people during lockdown and after Cyclone Amphan made residents bury the past and welcome him back home.

Das was named in a CID chargesheet, along with former MP Lakshman Seth, for their alleged role during the violent land agitation in 2007. Das had remained unofficially banned from the village since June 2009 when alleged Trinamul Congress groups destroyed his home.

Das, along with 1,000 CPM workers, were driven out of Khejuri. Though many returned home later, Das continued to live at a rented flat in Haldia.

Things seemed to have changed for Das after 11 years. The CPM leader’s efforts to help Khejuri residents during the lockdown and post-cyclone triggered a change of heart among the villagers.

“We are in severe distress. We are without proper supply of power, water and food. In such a time, if Himangshu da has come to help us, who are we to refuse. Eleven years is a long time, after all,” said Basanti Mondal, 67, a resident of Tangramari, where Das has been distributing rations for the past two months.

Sources said Das and CPM cadres had begun visiting hundreds of villagers in Khejuri shortly after the lockdown had been announced in late March.

Asked about his change in fortune, Das said he could enter Khejuri because people had allowed him in.

“Had the people not permitted me to enter, I couldn’t have. The misunderstandings are over. I remain a soldier of the party but the people had misunderstood me in the past and destroyed my home. I was not allowed to visit my brother, but the sufferings of the villagers moved me to stand by them in their hour of need. I am acting out of love and people have welcomed me,” he said.

“He was delivering food grains during the lockdown. After Cyclone Amphan struck us, he has been distributing tarpaulin as well. The person who is helping us today is the one against whom we held a grudge for long,” said brick kiln worker and Koyalchowk resident Rabin Das, 35.

Last week, Das had given Rabin a tarpaulin after seeing him and his family sleeping under the open sky. “I was touched by that,” Rabin added.

For the past two months, the residents have been waiting for Das to arrive with his vehicle loaded with relief materials organised by the CPM. Post-cyclone, the role of Das has become even more critical as the villagers remain deprived of basic necessities like power and water.

CPM leader in Khejuri, Amlan Patra, 67, said the villagers had welcomed Das’s gesture to stand by them in their hour of distress. “He is not as bad as people had made him out to be. Hopefully, he can make some amends through his actions now,” Patra said.

Khejuri Trinamul MLA Ranajit Mondal played down Das’s efforts.

“The killings from across Talpati canal in 2007 were done on his orders. People may not be in a position to turn down his help at this time, but that does not mean they have forgiven him,” he said.