West Bengal’s Jagatdal turns volatile: Bombs, gunfire during TMC-BJP clash; EC orders swift arrests
The Statesman | 28 April 2026
Violence flared in West Bengal’s Jagatdal late Sunday night as supporters of the Trinamool Congress and the BJP clashed, leaving several people injured, including a Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) jawan. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday stepped in, directing the state police to identify and arrest all those involved without delay.
The development comes just two days ahead of the second phase of Assembly polls in the state, with voting scheduled across 142 constituencies on April 29. The Commission’s intervention underlines rising tensions in key districts, including North 24 Parganas, which have witnessed intense political contestation.
The confrontation began around 11 pm on Sunday, when a face-off broke out between supporters of rival parties in Jagatdal. What began as a confrontation soon spiralled, with crude bombs reportedly thrown and gunfire breaking out during the clash.
A CAPF jawan deployed in the area sustained injuries amid the violence.
Earlier in the night, BJP leader and former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh had reached the Jagatdal police station to lodge a complaint. Around the same time, a large group of Trinamool Congress supporters, estimated to be over 200, had gathered outside the police station. What began as a verbal altercation soon spiralled into a full-blown clash between the two sides.
Security forces later moved in to bring the situation under control. CAPF personnel and Barrackpore Police rushed in together, pushing back the crowd and gradually bringing things under control.
So far, four individuals – identified as Kaushik Das, Sikandar Prasad, Gopal Raut and Shyamdev Shaw – have been arrested in connection with the incident.
However, several others accused of involvement are still untraceable. The ECI has directed the police to track them down and ensure their immediate arrest. It has also instructed both the state police and CAPF to maintain continuous patrolling in the area to prevent further flare-ups.
With the second phase of polling imminent, the Commission has already put in place what officials describe as an “unprecedented” security arrangement. The deployment is expected to be significantly more extensive and stringent compared to the first phase held on April 23.
Counting of votes for all phases is scheduled for May 4.