Nandigram: A women's company of the CRPF today conducted flag marches in several areas of Nandigram which bore the brunt of the violence during its recapture by CPI(M).

Women CRPF personnel numbering 15 to 20 flag marched Adhikaripara, Satengabari, Tekhalibazar and Gokulnagar villages and also visited a school. A PTI correspondent, accompanying the team, found a majority of the houses torched, with very few people about in the villages. CRPF sources said local people were keeping silent and the central force was having difficulty in gauging the ground situation.

The women's team also went to a school Gokulnagar Bidyayatan and spoke to students. Asked why the women's team was selected for the show of strength, DIG, CRPF, Alok Raj told PTI "women have a natural instinct to reach out to the people. So, we have asked the women's team to flag march."
"This is a process to build up confidence among the people so that they can return home", said deputy commandant of the women's company Seema Taloni.

Women and children at relief camps run by Trinamool Congress-led Bhoomi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee have been seeking deployment of the women's company for the last few days fearing sexual harassment and atrocities. The CRPF was deployed about a week ago in Nandigram after its recapture by armed CPI-M cadres.

Source : PTI