Malda: A dog squad team from Murshidabad on Wednesday joined the investigation into the shootout and clash between two groups in Salehpur under Kaliachak police station on Tuesday that left one TMC worker dead and two of the party leaders grievously injured. The team with trained sniffer dogs, conducted a thorough search of the area, including the crime scene.
Meanwhile, one Amir Hamza (24) was arrested in connection with the incident from Nayabasti in the same area on Tuesday night, police said in a briefing.
The violence, which erupted between supporters of local TMC leaders Zakir Sekh and Bakul Sheikh, left one person, Ataul Sheikh alias Hasu, dead and several others injured, including Bakul Sheikh and his brother, Esaruddin Sheikh. The injured duo is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Police had detained 10 people in connection with the incident while identifying another six and are investigating the matter.
The dog squad’s involvement marks a new development in the probe. While no fresh arrests were made on Wednesday, the area remains tense with police patrols going on. The TMC leadership has distanced itself from the incident, stating that the party will not take responsibility for the actions of individual members. Police are investigating the matter and have deployed sniffer dogs to search for evidence.
The Opposition BJP has criticised the TMC leadership for “failing to maintain law and order in the state”.
Ajmal Sheikh, vice president of TMC minority cell, said: “It was not the right decision to include Zakir Sheikh in the party, who had an old enmity with Bakul. A detailed investigation by police will make everything clear.”
The incident has created widespread panic among local business owners, who are concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation in the area. Ujjwal Saha, president of the Malda Merchant Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed concerns about the impact of the violence on local businesses.