By IANS,
Kolkata : Nandigram in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, which had seen political clashes in recent days, breathed easy Monday, a day after the first phase of the local body elections was over.
All eyes were set on Nandigram as the area, site of a bloody turf war since January 2007 between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and a group opposing land acquisition for industry, had seen violence ahead of the polling. However, the voting Sunday was peaceful.
“We had taken all precautions and were able to maintain law and order at Nandigram during Sunday polls. We received no reports of political clashes at Nandigram and this will continue throughout the polls,” West Bengal inspector-general (law and order) Raj Kanojia told IANS.
During the polling, CPI-M MP Laxman Seth had a face-off with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deputy inspector general (DIG) Aloke Raj Sunday morning over the election process in Nandigram.
Seth allegedly threatened the CRPF chief for acting beyond his jurisdiction.
Raj said Monday: “I won’t like to discuss the details right now. The senior officials will be handling the case. But that won’t affect the security at Nandigram during the polls.”
Two blocks in Nandigram have a total of about 1,76,000 voters.
The three-phased panchayat elections are being held May 11, 14 and 18. Counting will take place May 21.