BJP, TMC clash in Dinhata; shops and vehicles vandalised

Sporadic clashes erupted between the TMC and the BJP in Dinhata sub-division of Cooch Behar district on Thursday. Shops, vehicles and party offices were vandalised even as allegations and counter allegations were being hurled.

In a bid to gain a political foothold in Bengal, the BJP along with the saffron camp has launched an aggressive campaign.

Front rung leaders, including BJP national president Amit Shah recently visited the state garnering support for the party. With elections in seven civic bodies due in the state, the BJP has beefed up their campaign.

Over the past few days, villages in Dihata have been witnessing numerous clashes between the two rival camps.

On Thursday morning, BJP Bengal secretary Locket Chatterjee, along with party vice-president Jayprakash Majumdar were on their way to Dinhata from

Cooch Behar to visit injured BJP supporters.

On the way, the leaders ran into a TMC agitation. The agitators blocked the cavalcade, waved black flags at the BJP leaders and shouted anti-BJP slogans. However, later, the motorcade was allowed to pass.

On the way back from Dinhata to Cooch Behar, the BJP leaders alleged that they had been attacked by the TMC at Bhetaguri.

"We were compelled to defend ourselves against the attack," said Chakroborty. In the process, shops, vehicles and the TMC party office was

vandalized. Majumdar tried to intervene but could not pacify the saffron supporters.

The TMC supporters also retaliated. Totos belonging to BJP supporters were vandalised. Police rushed in to bring the situation under control.

"TMC goons, backed by the police attacked us. We gave them a befitting reply," claimed Chakroborty.

TMC MLA Udayan Guha alleged that the BJP Bike Bahini had carried out the attack.

"They are spreading terror here and have even vandalised our party office, shops and attacked people on the roads," alleged Guha.

The BJP party office in Dinhata was allegedly vandalised by TMC supporters. Furniture were brought out of the building and set ablaze.