Social activist Medha Patkar, who is on a two-day fast to protest the recapture of large areas in Nandigram by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, on Saturday lauded West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi for his 'courageous statement' indicting the state government and the ruling Left.

"It is a statement by a Satyagrahi and really a courageous statement," she said.

The governor has made a truthful statement on the state of affairs in Nandigram only after discussions with all concerned, said Patkar, who was allegedly assaulted and abused by CPI-M supporters on her way to Nandigram on Thursday.

"We expect the government and the CPI-M to withdraw party cadres and allow people to return home and live without fear in Nandigram," she said.

Gandhi's statement makes it clear that the ruling party is working against the common people, the social activist said from her fast site at Esplanade.

Urging the Centre to use political influence on the West Bengal government to restore peace in troubled Nandigram, Patkar claimed that the police in the embattled area was "playing a spectator's role".

She further claimed the CPI-M cadres are using brute force to recapture Nandigram, which has been witnessing violence since January.

Meanwhile, in a show of support, filmmakers Aparna Sen [Images] and Rituparna Ghosh joined Patkar in her protest, boycotting the Kolkata Film Festival.