6 Cong, CPI(M) workers remanded in 3-day police custody

The 6 Congress and CPI(M) workers, who were arrested on Monday in connection with the clash at Ratua in Malda, were remanded in a three day police custody after being produced before the Chanchal Sub-Divisional Court on Tuesday.

Several people were injured and houses were set ablaze when clashes broke out between Congress and CPI(M) workers following a dispute over a contract to supply building materials. This comes at a time when senior Congress and CPI(M) leaders are talking about their alliance to fight in the forthcoming Assembly elections. 

According to a section of leaders of both the parties in the area, the incident will leave an effect on the alliance. Investigations have revealed that a company from Haryana had bagged the order to construct a bridge at Fulhar Nakkati. Initially, the company rented a plot owned by a CPI(M) leader Atul Chandra Ghosh to dump building material till the construction work is completed. Later, Ghosh started supplying building materials to the company. 

The trouble initiated when a Congress leader, Idrish Ali also approached the company and bagged some orders to supply building materials.

There was a dispute between both the suppliers over the share of orders they were getting. On Monday it led to a scuffle and finally clashes broke out between CPI(M) and Congress supporters. The supporters opened fire and hurled bombs at each other. Supporters of both the parties and some passersby were injured. Bhanu Ghosh, brother of the CPI(M) leader, was also injured. He was admitted to the Ratua Block I Hospital. 

The situation turned worse when the supporters started setting house of each other on fire. Shop owners in the area pulled down shutters and the area boarded a deserted look. A huge contingent of police was pressed and the situation was brought under control. Six people including three supporters from each of the party were arrested.