Several houses and shops were burnt and ransacked during the clashes betweem TMC faction, in which bombs were hurled, police said, adding that they have so far arrested three people in connection with the violence.
Five people were injured in a clash that allegedly broke out between two factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Malda district’s Englishbazar area late on Wednesday night ahead of the panchayat polls in the state.
Several houses and shops were burnt and ransacked during the clashes, in which bombs were hurled, police said, adding that they have so far arrested three people in connection with the violence.
“At least eight houses were ransacked and two houses were set on fire. Police have been patrolling the area since Thursday morning,” said a senior police officer.
District police sources said the clash was a fallout of the ongoing tension between the two rival factions of the TMC in the area over the past few days.
“Trinamool workers, who were denied party tickets, are contesting the panchayat polls as independents. The clash took place between Trinamool workers and party rebels who are fighting as independents to establish their control in the area. Tension prevailed in the area since Wednesday itself, which resulted in the clash,” said a police officer.
Since the announcement of panchayat elections on June 8, there has been widespread violence across the state, especially over the filing of nominations. At least 10 people have died in political violence since then.
Meanwhile, a BJP leader, who was reportedly missing for the past few days, was found hanging at his residence in Panighar village in Sabang area of West Medinipur district, triggering tension in the area.
“We have found Deepak Samant hanging from the ceiling of his village residence in Sabang. He is associated with a political party. We are probing the matter and have no clue whether it is a case of suicide or murder. We have not arrested anyone yet, and the body has been sent for post-mortem,” said a police officer, adding that they have registered a case of unnatural death.
Local BJP leaders alleged that Samant was threatened by TMC workers a few days back and demanded a CBI probe.
“Samant was missing for the last 3-4 days…Trinamool Congress is pressurizing him to join the party ahead of the July 8 panchayat elections…Samant and his family went to the police to complain about the threat But they didn’t listen,” PTI quoted senior BJP leader from Ghatal Tanmay Das as saying.
District TMC coordinator Ajit Maity denied the BJP’s allegations, claiming that Samant died by suicide.
“The Trinamool Congress has nothing to do with it. Maity said, everything will become clear in the police investigation.
(Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter, Do Suscribe to stay up-to-date)