BJP supporters assault police officers in Asansol

Kolkata: BJP supporters attacked policemen when they were stopped by the cops from entering the Asansol Municipal Corporation office on Friday. They wanted to submit a memorandum to the mayor demanding improvement in civic amenities. The police had told the BJP leaders that all the supporters couldn't be allowed to get into the building and only a delegation could submit the memorandum.

There was elaborate police arrangement around the Asansol Municipal Corporation building. Trouble began after police officers set up a barricade near the municipal corporation office to prevent BJP supporters from entering the building.

Infuriated over the cops, BJP supporters turned violent and tried breaking the barricade. They hurled brickbats and bombs at the police officers. Four officers suffered injuries by splinters.

The police had to resort to lathi-charge and tear gas shells were lobbed to quell the mob. The Trinamool Congress took out a procession led by mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation Jitendra Tewari to condemn the attack. Tewari demanded strict action against those involved in the violence. He said BJP was unnecessarily creating trouble. "BJP supporters hurled bombs and brickbats at policemen without any provocation. Their plan was to ransack the office, which was thwarted by the police," he said.