Nandigram, Apr 19: Ahead of panchayat elections, fresh violence broke out in Nandigram on Saturday with two women raped allegedly by CPI-M cadre during a clash between supporters of Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee and marxists at Adhikaripara here in which eight BUPC men were injured. Superintendent of Police, East Midnapore, S Panda told reporters here that senior police officers have rushed to Adhikaripara. The injured were admitted to a primary health centre here, he said. The two women were taken to Kolkata and admitted to government-run SSKM hospital.

Trinamool Congress block leader and convener of BUPC, Abu Taher alleged that the two women were raped at Adhikaripara when CPI (M) cadres raided the village around 2:00 am. IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said in Kolkata "we have also heard about it. We are verifying it, but no complaint has been filed for rape." Denying the charges, local CPI-M leader Ashok Guria alleged that the clash took place after TC supporters raided the houses of CPI-M sympathisers. "The Trinamool Congress has lost support in Nandigram and these allegations are just to draw attention," Guria said. The Nandigram police station was gheraoed on Friday by the Trinamool Congress after three party activists were arrested on the charge of killing a CPI(M) Panchyat Samity member last year.