Five houses belonging to supporters of the anti-land acquisition Bhoomi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee were set ablaze allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist activists at Khodambari village in Nandigram [Images] area late on Thursday night, the police said.

This is the first instance of violence since the Central Reserve Police Force was deployed in the area following the 'recapture' of the area by the CPI-M. The forces were present at the village when the houses were set on fire.

Nandigram Trinamool Congress MLA Sisir Adhikari said local CPI-M activists had been threatening the BUPC members for the past few days and set their houses afire on Thursday.

East Midnapore district Superintendent of Police S Panda said the fire was put out by the CRPF and the police but the extent of damage was yet to be known.

The police had been rushed to the village immediately after receiving complaints at Nandigram police station, he said, adding there was no report of any casualty. A police picket has been posted in the area, he added.