Bullets fired at Mamatas convoy (Lead: Nandigram violence)

There has been an upswing in violence in Nandigram in West Bengals East Midnapore District as aggression between the activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress continued over the acquisition of land.

Kolkata, Oct 28 : There has been an upswing in violence in Nandigram in West Bengal's East Midnapore District as aggression between the activists of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress continued over the acquisition of land.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee's convoy was reportedly fired at as she proceeded to visit Nandigram.

Although Mamata escaped unhurt, her convoy came to a halt.

Meanwhile, a CPI-M office was set on fire today allegedly by the members of the Trinamool Congress backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).

The BUPC has been protesting against the land acquisition for the setting up of Special Economic Zones and has called a 12-hour shutdown today.

Meanwhile, Banerjee has sought intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to stop the violence in the East Midnapore District.

Addressing a rally at Garchakrabaria, Banerjee said she had written to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and was waiting for their replies.

Banerjee had also demanded punishment for the culprits in her letters.

Banerjee is visiting several areas of troubled Nandigram with a declared intention to enter Khejuri, a CPI-M stronghold.

At least three persons were killed and several others injured in a bomb blast in Nandigram on Saturday night. There were also clashes between BUPC activists and CPM supporters in which one person died.

According to police officials, the three persons who were killed in bomb explosion near the Left party's camp at Sherkhan Chowk in Khejuri area were CPI-M backed activists.

The CPI-M alleged that the BUPC, spearheading the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram block of East Midnapore district, was behind the killings.

Sporadic clashes between rival groups have continued despite the State government's decision against the setting up of a chemical hub in the area in the face of protests from a section of the people there.

ANI