Cops fire at protesters in West Bengal, 1 dead

One person was killed and at least eight were injured as violence erupted at Tehatta in Nadia, West Bengal, on Wednesday during which the police claimed they fired "in self-defence" at the protesting crowd. Locals were protesting because the police were reportedly denying permission for holding Jagadhatri Puja on a ground in Tehatta's Haulia village.

The incident comes just eight days after the alleged police firing in Dubrajpur in Birbhum district that left 33 people injured.

Ujjwal Biswas, Minister for Youth Welfare from Nadia district, said, "There has been a dispute over the land between Hindu and Muslim groups. When the Hindu groups wanted to organise Jagadhatri Puja, the Muslim groups sought permission for namaaz. We held an all-party meeting in the presence of the SDO and the SDPO. The issue was resolved. But local CPM leaders provoked the mob."

It was learnt that in the all-party meeting it was decided that the puja would be shifted to a nearby ground. Trimurti Club, which organises the puja, had reportedly agreed to this.

However, the organisers claimed that they had still not got permission at the alternative venue. So they held a protests on Wednesday and blocked Karimpur-Krishnanagar state highway at 8 am.

After the police arrived, clashes began and one Ashok Sen (35) was killed. As news of the death spread, the mob set six police vehicles on fire. Eight police personnel were hurt in the ensuing violence.

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