Cop injured, 41 held in clash between Trinamool groups

A police constable received bullet injuries and at least 41 Trinamool Congress activists were arrested in connection with clashes between two groups of the ruling party at North 24 Parganas district's Basirhat last night, ahead of panchayat polls.

Three weapons and two rounds of bullets were seized by the police. Rapid Action Force has been deployed in the area to control the situation.

The incident occurred in front of Trinamool party office at Basirhat's Sakchura market. Police reached the spot after hearing about the clash between factions of Trinamool leaders Shahnur Mondal and Sirajul Besher, police sources said. Some of the workers were reportedly armed.


A local Trinamool student leader said the policeman received bullet injuries when he was trying to protect him. The constable has been hospitalised.

Superintendent of Basirhat-I police district Joby Thomas said: "One policeman was injured during the incident. We are starting a suo motu case."

As protests continued Tuesday, police resorted to lathicharge near the Basirhat police station to bring the situation under control.