Both Trinamool and CPM leaders file FIRs

A day after political clashes left several people, including a policeman, injured at Khanakul in Hooghly, sporadic violence continued in the area a day ahead of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the trouble-torn district tomorrow.

“We have sent huge contingents of policemen, including the RAF, in the violence-affected areas. FIRs have been lodged and action is being taken,” said Hooghly SP Satyajit Bandopadhyay. While two FIRs have been lodged against CPM leaders, including the party’s Khanakul zonal committee secretary Bhajahari Bhuinya, for allegedly firing at villagers and molesting a woman, no arrests were made so far.

Today, villages in this remote part of Hooghly district wore a deserted look, with hundreds having fled their homes fearing fresh violence. In Yesterday’s violence, eight people were injured and several houses looted.

Villages like Kantapukur, Ishanpara, Patul, Chowkbhedua and Nangulpara witnessed sporadic violence since yesterday, with armed Trinamool and CPM cadres engaging each other. A number of houses were also torched and seven vehicles set on fire.

Most shops and markets remained closed amid heavy police deployment.

The Khanakul police have also lodged a case against unknown people who had fired at the policemen, leaving constable Chittaranjan Das seriously injured.

Meanwhile, both sides blamed each other and filed FIRs. While Trinamool leaders said CPM cadres had stockpiled firearms and bombs to terrorise those who had switched loyalty to the former, Bhuinya said Trinamool cadres forced shop owners to down shutters and stopped vehicles of CPM supporters.