Lawyers 'hurl bricks at cops' during scuffle with civic body staff

Kolkata: A major clash took place between the lawyers and staff of Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) over vehicle parking at Howrah Court area on Wednesday morning.

The situation was nearly brought under control after police intervention but the lawyers allegedly blocked the gate of the municipal corporation, which further intensified the scuffle.

When some mediapersons and HMC staff were moving out of the court area, a few lawyers allegedly hurled bricks at them which hit some police personnel. Later, police resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the violent mob.

Around 10 am, when a lawyer parked his bike at the HMC's fee parking area the staff of HMC asked him not to park his vehicle there. It is alleged that everyday lawyers park their vehicles at fee parking zones but they do not pay the parking charge. Despite they have been told that if they park in the HMC fee parking zones they will have to pay the fee, none of the lawyers bother to listen. Some lawyers also park their vehicle at the designated parking places for the HMC staff.

On Wednesday morning, when the HMC staff asked the lawyer not to park his vehicle at the fee parking area, both of them got into an argument.

The argument heated up when some lawyers and law clerks allegedly arrived there and physically harassed the HMC staff and a security personnel.

Within minutes more HMC staff members arrived and there was a clash between them. It was alleged that both HMC staff and lawyers started hurling bricks at each other. Police rushed to the spot and tried to convince both parties to stop fighting. Later, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had to be called to control the situation.

Initially the situation was brought under control but the lawyers blocked the main gate of the HMC which added to the tension. Around 5 pm, when some mediapersons and HMC staff were moving out of the HMC, the lawyers allegedly assaulted them. Some lawyers threw bricks at them which hit some police personnel who were duty.

Having no other option, police resorted to lathi-charge. The situation took an ugly turn when the lawyers retaliated and attacked the police personnel. To disperse the violent mob, the police fired a few tear gas shells on the Howrah Court premises. Commissioner of Police (CP), Howrah, Vishal Garg and minister Arup Roy rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.

A source said three police complaints have been lodged in the incident. HMC staff members and lawyers lodged a complaint and a counter complaint against each other. On the other hand, the police have also lodged a complaint against those who attacked police and disrupted the law and order. Till Wednesday evening, no one was arrested. Lawyers alleged that HMC staff members intentionally created the law and order situation and attacked them. Some lawyers were beaten up so badly that they had to be admitted to hospital.