Criminal behind Nandigram violence held

A notorious criminal who was allegedly behind the recent violence in Nandigram was arrested from West Bengal's South 24-Parganas early on Saturday, says the police.

A notorious criminal who was allegedly behind the recent violence in Nandigram was arrested from West Bengal's South 24-Parganas early on Saturday, police said.

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Acting on a tip, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided a guesthouse in Mahishadal and arrested Salim and four of his associates. The police have recovered arms and ammunition from them.

Salim has confessed to his involvement in the violence in Nandigram, police said.

Police sources said he had been operating from Khejuri, a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) stronghold near Nandigram.

He was wanted in a number of criminal cases including murder, robbery and extortion. Salim will be produced in a Tamluk court on Sunday.

At least 34 people have died in violence in Nandigram since January, sparked off by protests against the state government's attempts to take over farmland for industry.