Gunshots were fired and a house set ablaze in villages here as clashes between marxist and Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee supporters erupted on Wednesday.

Shots were fired at Chatingabari, Kamalpur, Dakapara villages forcing about 100 people to leave their homes for safety, a PTI correspondent on the scene said.

A house, belonging to a CPI(M) supporter, was also set on fire at Satengobari. None was injured in the clashes and arson.

In Kolkata, Home Secretary P R Roy told newsmen that the police were not entering Nandigram apprehending trouble.

Roy said the state government would convene an all-party meeting and was making efforts to bring all parties to attend it for restoring peace at Nandigram.

On Tuesday, theatre artistes and intellectuals who had gone to distribute relief materials at Chandipur, 25 km from Nandigram, were attacked by CPI(M) supporters and their vehicle was damaged.

Nandigram has been tense since Sunday when one person was killed in clashes between supporters of the CPI-M and the BUPC.