POLITICS

CPM-Congress clash at Damodarpur, 4 injured

COOCH BEHAR, June 3: Four persons were seriously injured in a clash between supporters of the CPI-M and the Congress that occurred last night at Damodarpur under Cooch Behar Kotowali police station. Two separate cases were lodged with police and two persons were arrested till now in connection with the violence.

The Congress defeated the CPI-M in Takagachh-Rajarhat gram panchayat in the recent panchayat polls. Congress won seven seats and independent candidates supported by the Mahajot (grand alliance) bagged five seats. The CPI-M was able to retain five seats only.

At Damodarpur village the Congress candidate Md Rafiqul Alam won. At yesterday evening, local Congress supporters arranged a picnic at Damodarpur Primary School premises to celebrate his victory. When the women were busy in cooking a large number of CPI-M supporters took out a procession and shouted slogans encircling the picnic spot. Only a few male Congress supporters were present there at that time.

After departure of the CPI-M men a large number of Congress supporters gathered there. They attacked the local CPI-M office and ransacked the belongings inside it. Weapons like swords, lathis, bow and arrows were used freely. Several persons were injured during the melee. Among the seriously injured three are CPI-M supporters and one is Congress supporter. They are – Abdul Rahman, Nabiruddin Mian, Noor Islam Mian and Hamidul Haq. They are now undergoing medical care at MJN Hospital.

Local Congress leader Md Fazlul Haq said the CPI-M had unleashed a reign of terror for many years. This time the Congress defeated them. Last night, the Congress supporters lost their patience and retaliated the attack of the CPI-M, he clarified.

CPI-M leader Mr Ajay Roy alleged that the opposition parties won at several places and started practising atrocity. They attacked CPI-M supporters and ransacked the party office. Many CPI-M supporters were wounded in the attack, he alleged.

Police said two Congress supporters were arrested last night. They are conducting raids to nab a few other persons involved with the violence, police said. []