Nandigram (WB): Ten policemen were injured when villagers fought pitched battle with police at Dinabandhupur in East Midnapore district early today (Jan 8, 007) as the opposition sponsored 24-hour bandh began in West Bengal.

The members belonging to Bhumi Rakha Pratirodh Committee (Save Land Committee) pelted stones at the policemen who had gone there to rescue two of their counterparts reportedly held by the committee members at Dinabandhupur.

Police said 10 policemen were injured in the brickbatting.

The local villagers alleged that police fired four rounds in the air though the police neither confirmed nor denied it.

Committee members denied that they were holding two policemen hostage and said they were discussing the situation with the them. The situation at Nandigram had remained very tense following the incident.

The CPI(M) party office at Dinabandhupur had been set on fire, police said.

Most of the roads leading to Nandigram and Dinabandhupur area were blocked. Trenches were also dug on some of these roads. No outsiders were allowed to enter Nandigram, Dinabdhupur and Sonachura.

Bandh was total at Nandigram with shops remaining closed. Vehicles were also off the road.

The opposition parties had called the bandh on the issue of farmland acquisition for industry.