BJP supporters attack TMC men in Baruipur

Kolkata: BJP supporters allegedly attacked a rally of Trinamool supporters at Baruipur in South 24-Parganas on Monday afternoon. Later, police intervened and brought the situation under control.

According to sources, BJP president Amit Shah was scheduled to attend an election campaign meeting at Madarhat in Baruipur in support of Anupam Hazra, BJP's poll candidate for the Jadavpur constituency. However, the meeting was cancelled at the last moment.

When the information of cancellation was announced, BJP supporters reportedly got agitated. Sources informed that as the land owner did not issue a permit to the party to hold the meeting, it had to be cancelled. The message of cancellation was posted on Twitter by BJP leadership. As BJP workers and supporters had gathered there since morning to take part in the campaign, they reportedly got agitated following its cancellation. Almost at the same time, Trinamool workers and supporters had taken out a rally in support of their candidate Mimi Chakraborty.

The Trinamool workers were campaigning in several auto rickshaws. While passing through the area, some BJP supporters allegedly hurled expletives at the Trinamool workers. Hearing this, the Trinamool supporters protested.

Following this, the BJP supporters allegedly started ransacking the auto rickshaws without any provocation. The Trinamool supporters retaliated and both groups got involved in a clash. Even BJP candidate Anupam Hazra was seen screaming at the Trinamool workers instead of controlling the agitating workers of his party.

Upon receiving the news, a huge police force was sent to the spot. After almost an hour, police managed to bring the situation under control. Police pickets have been posted in the area, suspecting further law and order problems.

While the clash was going on at Baruipur, BJP's Diamond Harbour candidate Nilanjan Roy's car was intercepted at a naka-checking point in Central Avenue on Monday. Roy was taken to Bowbazar police station along with his car and was thoroughly checked. He was later released.

Meanwhile, minister of state for Textiles (Uttarakhand) Ajay Tamta's car was stopped at Patuli, where he was detained for a long time. He has claimed that it was an instance of police harassment.