Violent clashes broke out in Jagatdal in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district late Sunday, just two days before the second phase of polling and hours ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled rally, during which several people, including a Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) jawan, were injured.
The police have arrested four people, including a TMC councillor, in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has sought a detailed report on the matter.
While Central forces were deployed late at night to restore order, as of Monday morning, the situation in the area remains tense. A heavy police contingent has been deployed, and a massive search operation is underway to trace the vice-chairman of Bhatpara.
Residents alleged that some people backed by the Trinamool Congress attacked the residence of Arjun Singh, the BJP candidate from Barrackpore and Pawan Singh’s father, during which shots were fired.
The violence began at Atchala Bagan in Jagatdal, where supporters of the BJP and TMC clashed. Tensions escalated when BJP candidate Rajesh Kumar went to a police station to file a complaint. The BJP alleged that TMC supporters pelted stones outside the station.
According to the BJP, the situation worsened when TMC workers later attacked the residence of Pawan Singh. It was during this incident that the CAPF jawan was shot. The injured jawan, Yogesh Sharma, was part of the security detail of BJP candidate and outgoing Bhatpara MLA Pawan Singh. Sharma sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was taken to the hospital.
“It started when we were putting up banners to welcome PM Modi. We protested when some goons hurled verbal abuses. The police intervened. When we went to file a complaint at the police station, Trinamool supporters surrounded the building. My father, who was there, got into an altercation. Soon after, TMC goons attacked our house and hurled bombs,” said incumbent MLA Pawan Singh.
Meanwhile, the BJP claimed that Arjun Singh was also injured in a clash with Trinamool.
However, Amit Gupta, the TMC candidate from the Bhatpara constituency, claimed that one of their party workers was assaulted first. Gupta said BJP leader Arjun Singh and his followers attacked the TMC workers when they went to protest.
The TMC has not issued an official statement on the incident so far.