West Bengal: Three killed in political clash over panchayat board formation
Kolkata, Aug 29 (IBNS): At least three persons were killed and several others seriously injured in a political clash at Taraberia area under Amdanga Police Station limits in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday, reports said.
According to reports, activists of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and CPI-M clashed over a dispute on panchayat board formation.
A large number of crude bombs were hurled and several rounds of bullets were fired during the hour-long clash while few houses were torched in the village.
Two local TMC activists, Nasir Haldar and Kuddus Gani, and CPI-M member Mujaffar Ahmed were killed in the clash.
At least 17 others were injured during the battle and they are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in critical conditions.
A huge police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the scene and till the last update came in, police are carrying out route marche at the area.
Sources in the police said that 10 persons have been arrested so far for their involvement in the deadly political clash.
Meanwhile, following the massive brawl, local administration has adjourned board formation process indefinitely at Taraberia, Bodai and Maricha village panchayat when Office-in-Charge (OC) of Amdanga PS, Manas Das, was replaced by Tushar Biswas on Wednesday after the incident.
Cabinet minister Jyotipriya Mullick alleged that the attack was carried out jointly by CPI-M and BJP.
"This attack was planned in CPI-M's Bengal headquarters at Alimuddin and a large number of firearms were brought from Bangladesh to kill our activists," Jyotipriya Mullick said.
"BJP helped CPI-M in carrying out the attack. Police are probing and all persons involved in the case will be punished," Mullick added.
A local leader of CPI-M claimed that TMC attacked its comrades.
"A large number of firearms and crude bombs were stored in several houses of TMC leader-activists in the village and state's ruling party's men attacked our members that we couldn't form panchayat board," a local CPI-M leader said.
State BJP leadership claimed that the party was not involved in the clash.
"It was a clear tussle between TMC and CPI-M. None from our party either took part in the clash or helped anyone in carrying out the attack," a BJP leader said.
However, a heavy police force have been deployed to the area as the situation is still tense in Amdanga.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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