Flouting Section 144, BJP delegation visits Bhatpara
Kolkata: Several miscreants hurled country-made bombs and stones at policemen in front of the BJP Parliamentary delegation which visited Bhatpara on Saturday afternoon.
The three-member team, led by former Union minister S S Ahluwalia, entered the area flouting the prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC. However, the Congress and CPI(M) leaders were gheraoed and forced to leave the area.
The team visited the houses of the two deceased and spoke to their family members. Local BJP MP Arjun Singh also accompanied them.
Locals alleged that it was due to police firing that the duo had died. In front of the MPs, brickbats were hurled at the police personnel and senior officials were heckled. The police resorted to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.
A large contingent of police force led by Commissioner of Barrackpore Manoj Verma reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Raids are on to arrest the outsiders. Ahluwalia said after returning to Delhi that he would submit a report to Union Home minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in vast areas surrounding Bhatpara and Kankinara. The educational institutions were closed and despite assurances from the police, most of the shops did not open.
The police conducted route march in the area and pickets have been set up in front of the lanes and bylanes from where the attacks are being launched.
Bhatpara has been witnessing frequent post-poll violence between the rival parties. The fight has intensified ever since Arjun Singh crossed over from the TMC to the BJP and won the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat, under which Bhatpara falls.
In the by-election to the Bhatpara Assembly seat that was held along with the Lok Sabha polls, Arjun Singh's son Pawan defeated TMC candidate Madan Mitra.
The district administration has promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in Bhatpara and Kankinara.
Already, two persons have been killed in the clashes and around 10 injured, including four policemen. BJP is allegedly trying to take control over the area.
Party supporters are reportedly visiting the houses of Trinamool Congress supporters and threatening them to either join the saffron brigade or stay away from politics. They have also forced the local Muslims to join the party assuring protection.
Partha Chatterjee, secretary general of the Trinamool Congress, questioned the entry of the three-member delegation flouting the imposition of Section 144 CrPC in the area.
