Haldia, Oct 28 : At least three persons were killed and several others injured in a bomb blast in Nandigram on Saturday night during a shutdown observed in protest against the acquisition of farmlands.

The shutdown was being observed in the area at the call of the Trinamool Congress backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).

The BUPC members and the CPI-M activists exchanged fire and hurled bombs from Satenganbari village and Takapura in Nandigram and from the adjacent CPI-M stronghold of Khejuri since Friday night, police said.

Three killed and one injured in the violence were its members, the BUPC claimed.

However, according to police officials, the three who were killed in bomb explosion near the Left party's camp at Sherkhan Chowk in Khejuri area were CPI-M backed activists.

The CPI-M alleged that the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC), spearheading the anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram block of East Midnapore district, was behind the killings.

Police officials said the violence had continued till the afternoon.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who had rushed to Nandigram, has reportedly called a shutdown there today.

Sporadic clashes between rival groups have continued despite the State government's decision against the setting up of a chemical hub in the area in the face of protests from a section of the people there. (ANI)