Clashes erupt in Khanakul ahead of Mamata visit, RAF deployed

Tue, Nov 3 05:59 AM

Two days ahead of Railway Minister Mamata Bannerjee's visit to Hooghly, clashes erupted between the Trinamool Congress and CPM supporters in the district.

Armed supporters of both the parties today clashed in Khanakul, leaving several people injured. A policeman also sustained bullet injuries while trying to control the violence.

Though the police could not confirm the actual number of people injured in the firing, Trinamool leaders claimed eight partymen had sustained bullet injuries.

State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said: "Raids are being conducted to arrest the criminals. We are keeping a watch over the situation." Asked about allegations that the police and the administration are not acting impartially, Sen said, "I have no such information. If you have such information, let us know."

According to the police, 30 armed miscreants, allegedly backed by the CPM, attacked Kantapukur, Ishanpara and Chowk Bhedua villages in Khanakul at 6 am. Armed miscreants backed by the Trinamool allegedly confronted them and a clash ensued. Both sides hurled crude bombs and used firearms.

A huge contingent of police was rushed in to control the situation. The police team was also attacked by goons outside Kantapukur, leading to a gunbattle. The miscreants, however, managed to flee. Constable Chittaranjan Das was injured in the incident. He was brought to the SSKM hospital with a bullet injury on his leg, said Sukamal Das, Officer-in-Charge of Khanakul. Later, Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed in the area.

According to the Trinamool Congress, eight of their party supporters were injured today. Four of them — Manik Dolui, Nujehan Begum, Sheikh Rana and Muhammed Sohrabuddin — have been admitted to the hospital.

The three villages attacked are Trinamool-dominated. Banerjee is scheduled to visit Arambag, adjacent to Khanakul, on Wednesday.

"The attack was carried out to create panic among the people to prevent them from attending Banerjee's rally," said Sailen Sinha, local Trinamool leader.

Later in the day, three separate FIRs were lodged. One of the complainants, Afroza Begam, alleged that miscreants not only looted gold ornaments worth Rs 1.5 lakh from her house, they also assaulted her.

Some CPM leaders, including the party's Khanakul zonal committee secretary Bhajahari Bhuniya, have been named in the FIRs. The villagers also demanded a permanent police camp in their area.

Bhuniya, meanwhile, said: "I was at home when the incident took place. The fact is that local residents of Parul resisted Trinamool-backed miscreants who had attacked their village after a panchayat office was shifted there."

Trinamool demands Army deployment in troubled areasThe Trinamool Congress today demanded deployment of Army in areas where clashes are taking place, apart from sending a team of Union Home Ministry.

While speaking at a press conference held at Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence, Trinamool MP Sudip Bandopadhyay said that the ongoing 'CPM's attack' will be highlighted in the upcoming session of the Parliament.

"We will demand that the Union Home Ministry send a team to the violence-affected areas of Bengal and Army be deployed in these areas. The Centre cannot stay mute in this hour of crisis... it should act now. If they do not, it will be too late," he added.

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