Five persons were injured in a clash reportedly between two factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Englishbazar area of Malda district late Wednesday night ahead of the panchayat elections in the state. Several houses and shops were burnt and vandalised during the clash in which bombs were hurled, police said, adding that they have arrested three people so far in connection with the violence. “At least eight houses were vandalised and two houses were set on fire. Police are patrolling the area since Thursday morning,” a senior police officer said. Sources in the district police said that the clash was the result of simmering tensions for the past few days in the area between two rival factions of the TMC. “Trinamool workers, who were denied party tickets, are contesting the panchayat elections as Independents. The clash erupted between the Trinamool workers and those party rebels who are fighting as Independents over establishing their control in the area. Since Wednesday, tension had been simmering in the area, resulting into the clash,” said a police officer. Since the panchayat elections were announced on June 8, widespread violence has taken place across the state, especially over the filing of nominations. At least 10 people have been killed in political violence since then. Meanwhile, a BJP leader, who was allegedly missing for the past few days, was found hanging at his residence at Panighar village in Sabang area of Paschim Medinipur district, leading to tension in the area. “We have found Dipak Samant hanging from the ceiling of his village residence at Sabang. He is attached to a political party. We are investigating the matter and have no clue whether this is a suicide or murder case. We are yet to arrest anyone, and the body has been sent for post-mortem," a police officer said, adding that they have registered a case of unnatural death. Local BJP leaders alleged that Samant was threatened by TMC workers a few days ago and demanded a CBI probe. “Samanta was missing for the past three to four days. The Trinamool Congress has been putting pressure on him to join the party before the July 8 panchayat elections. Samant and his family had gone to the police to complain about the threat, but they were not heard," PTI quoted senior BJP leader from Ghatal, Tanmay Das, as saying. District TMC coordinator Ajit Maiti denied the BJP's allegations, claiming that Samant died by suicide. “The Trinamool Congress has nothing to do with it. Everything will become clear in the police investigation,” Maiti said. Since the panchayat elections were announced on June 8, widespread violence has taken place across the state, especially over the filing of nominations. At least 11 people have been killed in political violence since then.
