Fans of Indian Idol clash with locals, army called in
Firing was resorted to when teargas failed to control the stone-throwing mob, Nawla said.
By PTI |
SILIGURI: Fans of 'Indian Idol' Prashant Tamang and local residents clashed here today over passage to an ambulance carrying a patient, triggering widespread arson and violence after which the army was called in to help maintain law and order.
The police fired three rounds to disperse the warring groups injuring two persons as the local people clashed with the fans who had to take shelter in a court compound after being chased by a mob, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, R J S Nawla told reporters.
Firing was resorted to when teargas failed to control the stone-throwing mob, Nawla said.
The Army and BSF would flag march in Nepali-speaking pockets of the town close to Darjeeling, he said adding more reinforcements were being brought.
The Rapid Action Force and reinforcements from Jalpaiguri were deployed.
He said a number of cars and two police jeeps were set ablaze by the mob.
Biswajit Das and Achalal Prasad, both aged 60, were admitted to hospital with bullet injuries in chests and hips, hospital sources said adding their condition was serious.
The trouble erupted when a 2000-strong procession of singer Tamang's fans were marching to SDO's office to submit a memorandum in protest against derogatory comments by a FM radio jockey in Delhi against him, police said.
While the processionists were passing through Hospital Road, an ambulance with a patient inside tried to drive into Siliguri Zilla Hospital located there but was resisted by marchers, leading to beating up those inside the ambulance.
The police fired three rounds to disperse the warring groups injuring two persons as the local people clashed with the fans who had to take shelter in a court compound after being chased by a mob, Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, R J S Nawla told reporters.
Firing was resorted to when teargas failed to control the stone-throwing mob, Nawla said.
The Army and BSF would flag march in Nepali-speaking pockets of the town close to Darjeeling, he said adding more reinforcements were being brought.
The Rapid Action Force and reinforcements from Jalpaiguri were deployed.
He said a number of cars and two police jeeps were set ablaze by the mob.
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Biswajit Das and Achalal Prasad, both aged 60, were admitted to hospital with bullet injuries in chests and hips, hospital sources said adding their condition was serious.
The trouble erupted when a 2000-strong procession of singer Tamang's fans were marching to SDO's office to submit a memorandum in protest against derogatory comments by a FM radio jockey in Delhi against him, police said.
While the processionists were passing through Hospital Road, an ambulance with a patient inside tried to drive into Siliguri Zilla Hospital located there but was resisted by marchers, leading to beating up those inside the ambulance.
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