Supporters of CPM and Trinamool Congress clashed in the Maoist-dominated Goaltore in West Midnapore district on Saturday leaving half a dozen people injured.

“Two groups clashed in the Goaltore area. We have rushed security forces there. Those injured have been admitted to hospital. The situation is under control,” said Manoj Verma, SP (West Midnapore).

According to the police, clashes erupted between the groups when a CPM rally tried to enter Amjora village. Both the groups hurled crude bombs at each other and exchanged gunfire, said police.

Both the CPM and the Trinamool, however, blamed each other for the clashes. While CPM leaders said the Trinamool Congress-backed goons fired at their party rally, Trinamool leaders alleged that the Marxists were trying to capture the village through an armed rally.

“Trinamool-backed goons fired at us. Two of our party supporters have been injured. The Trinamool is getting support from the Maoists. Recently, three of our supporters were abducted by PCAPA members from the same area,” said Dipak Sarkar, local CPM leader.

But Trinamool leader Mrigen Maity said: “Armed CPM goons attacked Amjora village. They surrounded the village and fired indiscriminately.”

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress took out a rally in Belpahari protesting against the killings of their two leaders. The party workers gheraoed Belpahari police station with the decomposed bodies of their slain leaders and demanded probe and arrest of the culprits. Jalodbaran Kar and his brother Ashis Kar were shot dead on Wednesday evening by unidentified miscreants near their house in Bamundihi village.

... contd.