9 injured in fresh CPM-Trinamool clash

Trinamool cadres reportedly attacked over a dozen vehicles carrying CPM supporters who were on their way to a rally in Ballygunge in Kolkata. While three persons were hospitalised with gunshot wounds, six others were also injured.

While CPM had planned the rally to protest the assault on Mollah, police allowed Arabul Islam to hold a meeting here. Around 12.40 pm, as 60 vehicles carrying CPM supporters from Mollah's Bhangar constituency were passing through Bamunghata, where Arabul Islam was holding his meeting, some vehicles at the tail end of the convoy were reportedly attacked. Only four constables armed with lathis were deployed in the area.

The Trinamool cadres are alleged to have hurled bombs, and two of their leaders allegedly opened fire at the CPM supporters. Three persons — Saidul Mollah (20), Sujit Das (18) and Hasem Ali (55) — got bullet injuries. Das is in a critical condition.

"Nine vehicles were set on fire while five more were damaged. No arrest has been made yet," said K P Barui, Additional SP (rural), South 24 Parganas. But Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said: "An inquiry is on and 10-12 persons have been arrested."

"While entering the area, we came to know that Arabul Islam was holding a meeting there. We called the officer in charge of the police station, but he told us to continue. When we came to know that some of our vehicles were attacked, we again called up senior police officials. But we received no help," said Sattar Mondal, local CPM leader.

Meanwhile, Arabul Islam has also been admitted in a local hospital. He claimed that he was attacked by CPM cadres during the meeting.

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