CPI-M wanted a Nandigram in Lalgarh: Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said the ruling communists had tried to create another Nandigram in West Bengal’s Lalgarh on Friday where eight died in a firing blamed on the ruling party cadres.

Likening the carnage of Friday with the Nandigram firing of 2007 when villagers were killed, she said: “The incident was preplanned. The CPI-M wanted a recurrence of Nandigram in Lalgarh.”

Earlier, she commended the people of Lalgarh for putting up a ‘brave front’ against the violence unleashed on them by “armed cadres of CPI-M” in West Midnapore district.

”I commend you (villagers) for being able to put up a brave act against the violence unleashed upon you yesterday. Always remember unity is strength and your inner strength is far more powerful than the guns,” Banerjee told a gathering of villagers here.

“Unity is the need of the hour to protect the democratic fabric and fight against the reign of terror,” she added.

Her visit followed the killing of eight villagers on Friday at a village in trouble-torn Lalgarh.

Later in the day, she visited the Midnapore town and took out a peace rally.

At least eight villagers, including two women, were killed and many injured in West Bengal’s volatile Lalgarh area on Friday in a firing blamed on the armed cadres of the ruling communists by the Opposition, evoking outrage and condemnation by various groups.

While the Marxists said it was a handiwork of the Maoists, the killings weakened the argument of the CPI-M which has long accused Trinamool Congress of colluding with the Maoists to target the communist supporters.

Political clashes and killings are regular occurrences in West Bengal ahead of a crucial Assembly election tentatively scheduled in May with the communists facing a tough challenge from an Opposition led by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.