Gour Banga clash: TMCP expels 10, dismantles unit in varsity

Trinamool Chatra Parishad (TMCP) on Tuesday expelled 10 of its members and dismantled its unit at Gour Banga University in Malda where two groups of its supporters got involved in a clash on December 5.

Two groups of TMCP supporters allegedly owing allegiance to former state minister Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury and Biswajit Roy got involved in a clash inside the university campus on December 5. The students attacked each other near the English departments. 

Many students ran here and there for safety. For nearly an hour, the university campus took the shape of a battlefield. The clashing students hurled soda water bottles and brickbats at each other. Though police was posted outside the university, it did not enter as the authorities did not seek their help. Ten students were injured who were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Gopal Chandra Misra who was in Kolkata in connection of a work of the university ordered an investigation into the matter. He met the state Education minister Partha Chatterjee who told him to take stringent action against those involved in the incident. Chatterjee told the Vice Chancellor that under no circumstances, hooliganism would be allowed in educational institutions. Jaya Dutta, TMCP state president conducted an inquiry separately and shortly after the incident, she said those involved in the incident would not be spared.

Misra sent a report to Chatterjee following which the action was initiated. The TMCP unit has been dismantled. Dutta said Chatterjee had told her that indiscipline in educational institutions would not be tolerated anywhere.

Meanwhile, Mojammal Hossain, president of Trinamool Congress, Malda said some leaders who were fanning the students agitation would not be spared. He had sent a report in the matter to party senior leaders in Trinamool Bhavan.

Clashes between students owning allegiance to Chowdhury and Roy are not uncommon. Chowdhury’s strength in Malda has reduced after he lost in the Assembly election and was recently removed from the post of the chairman of Englishbazar municipality. Roy, a middle ranking leader receives patronage from senior leaders opposing Chowdhury. This affects the students also and on December 5, they clashed to take control of the union room. Dutta said those joining TMCP would have to be disciplined and no act of indiscipline would be tolerated by the party.