Fresh tension erupted in Salboni in West Midnapore district when political clashes on Thursday left more than 10 people, mostly Forward Bloc supporters, injured at Sijua village.

Police sources said that CPM cadres are targeting Bloc supporters who were perceived to be close to Maoist-backed People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA).

The spate of violence over the last three days has led the police to fire 80 rounds and imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in and around Sijua, Madhupur and Debagram villages.

Those seriously injured have been identified as Haji Joinal Abedin, Sheikh Kamruddin and Sheikh Saiful — all Bloc supporters. They have been admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital with head injuries. “Tension began in Sijua on Tuesday. Some unidentified miscreants opened fire on Abedin’s residence last night. Early this morning, our supporters were attacked by the miscreants. One person received gunshot wounds. He is still missing,” Forward Bloc’s district secretary Sukumar Bhuniya told The Indian Express.

He added that local Bloc leaders have been summoned for a meeting to decide the next step. “In the meeting we will assess if the miscreants were CPM cadres, Maoists, Committee supporters or from Trinamool Congress,” Bhuniya added.

Police sources said Abedin was a long-time CPM cadre before he joined Trinamool in 2008. Since then, he has aligned with the PDCI and is now with the Forward Bloc. “As per our information, the CPM is trying to flush out all former comrades who have left their ranks, including those now supporting the People’s Committee. This clash was a result of this drive,” police sources said.

... contd.