Trinamool, BJP clash in West Bengal district

A major clash broke out late Tuesday evening between BJP and Trinamool supporters in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district in presence of BJP's Cooch Behar Lok Sabha candidate and Union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik, and state minister Udayan Guha.

The incident happened in the Dinhata Bazar area around 8.30 pm when Pramanik, the local BJP MP, was on his way out after attending a meeting. Situation turned tense as both sides clashed. BJP leaders claimed stones were hurled at them. Several Trinamool workers were injured in the incident.

Several police officials also were injured when they tried to control the situation. Police and Rapid Action Force have been deployed in the area. So far, 45 complaints have been filed against BJP workers, including FIR against Pramanik.


Governor CV Ananda Bose, who visited Dinhata on Wednesday, sought a report from DGP on the matter. Bose said, "Violence will not be tolerated. We have witnessed similar violence ahead of panchayat polls." The incident has been brought to the notice of the Election Commission of India.

According to a video, which went viral on social media, Guha and his supporters were seen rushing towards BJP activists, with police trying to stop both parties. ET couldn't independently verify the veracity of the video. Guha said in a social media post he was trolled. "The post said Udayan Guha, how do you like your birthday gift?" Guha said, adding that Tuesday was his birthday.

State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Guha controls police and the "superintendent of police listens to what he says". "This kind of police superintendent must be transferred by ECI," he demanded.