Fresh Clashes Break out in Trouble-Hit Bhatpara, Many Injured

BJP delegation reached the spot to take stock of the situation after two people died during a clash on 20 June.

Three people were seriously injured in West Bengal’s Bhatpara.

(Photo: ANI)

Several people were injured as fresh clashes were reported in trouble-torn Bhatpara area in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Saturday, 22 June.

Earlier in the day, a three-member BJP delegation, led by former Union minister SS Ahluwalia, arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation after two people died on 20 June during a clash between two groups, suspected to be affiliated to the TMC and the BJP

As the delegation left, two groups, one led by the BJP and other by TMC, engaged in a pitched battle as both sides hurled country made bombs and stones at each other, PTI reported.

Speaking on the latest clash, Police Commissioner on Bhatpara, Manoj Verma said that the situation is under control and an investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed by the administration in the wake of the clashes.

Bhatpara has witnessed a series of clashes since 19 May, when the bypoll was held.

BJP on Bhatpara Clashes

On 20 June, a 17-year-old boy identified as Rambabu Shaw and another man named Santosh Shaw lost their lives after clashes erupted in Bhatpara area.

According to reports, bombs were hurled and several rounds of bullets were fired in the air by members of the two warring groups near a newly-constructed police station, which was scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday.

Speaking on the incident, Ahluwalia told the media that it was the police that had shot the victims. He added that if the police, as claimed in a press conference, indeed resorted to aerial firing, why were people hit with bullets.

“A 17-year-old boy was shot when he going to purchase something. Police shot him in his head at point blank range. A vendor was shot and died on the spot. A third is in the hospital. Seven people were shot. Police used batons for hooligans and bullets for innocents. It should be probed.”

SS Ahluwalia, BJP leader

BJP-TMC Trade Barbs

The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, meanwhile, blamed each other for the clashes in Bhatpara, which comes under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had directed senior police officers to take stringent action against those involved in the incident "irrespective of their political colour", state government sources said.

The state government has removed Barrackpore Police Commissioner Tanmay Ray Chaudhuri and appointed Manoj Kumar Verma, who was the IGP of Darjeeling.

Of the 11 injured, six were police personnel who suffered injuries while trying to contain the violence, Director General of Police Virendra said after visiting the spot.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)