People objecting to the acquisition of land for Salim group's proposed special economic zone (SEZ) in East Midnapore district clashed with police on Wednesday, close on the heels of protests over the Tata Motors' project in Singur.
Eyewitnesses claimed policemen fired in the air during the clash at Nandigram, but IGP (law and order) Raj Kanojia said the police had not opened fire.
The people fought a pitched battle with policemen after a dispute on holding a gram panchayat meeting to discuss the acquisition of land for the proposed SEZ of Indonesia's Salim group.
The trouble started at the meeting to discuss formalities for notifying the acquisition of land at Nandigram for the SEZ, with a section of people opposing the move.
Kanojia said the protestors attacked police forces outside the gram panchayat office and injured five policemen. Four villagers were injured in the police action, reports said.