Bengali movie star stands by Nandigram victims

Kolkata, Nov 19 (IANS) Bengali movie star Prosenjit Chatterjee has donated Rs.100,000 for the benefit of the victims of Nandigram violence.

The actor said the people who are suffering because of the violence in Nandigram in West Bengal's East Midnapore district were fellow citizens and he was donating the money through the Forum of Artistes, Cultural Activists and Intellectuals for all the victims irrespective of their political affiliations.

'Many of them are my fans who watch my movies regularly. When they are in a crisis it is my duty to support them. As I am not in Kolkata, I am unable to reach them directly. I am trying to help the injured as a friend,' the actor said.

Sources from the forum said noted historian Sumit Sarkar and artist Tanika Sarkar have donated Rs.75,000 each for the affected families. Actor-director Aparna Sen has also contributed generously for the affected people. Contribution and aid have been pouring in from common people too.

Besides sending a team of doctors to the relief camp at Nandigram High School, the forum has also sent a truckload of warm clothes, including 100 blankets, sources said.