Clash during Puja: 23 arrested,15 cops hurt

At least 15 policemen were severely injured when residents of Horkhali village near Haldia in the East Midnapore district attacked the police on Monday morning. A police vehicle was also ransacked by the villagers. The police have arrested 23 persons in connection with violence,said Ashoke Biswash,SP of the East Midnapore. According to East Midnapore police,the police had to intervene when tension prevailed between two groups on Sunday night during the immersion of idols. On Monday morning when over thousand people belonging to the two groups gathered in the village,the local police rushed to the spot to tackle the situation. But the villagers stopped the police van and did not allow the policemen to get off the vehicle. Following this,another police party rushed to the village which was attacked by the villagers,said Biswash. Fifteen policemen including the officer-in- charge of the Sutahata police station were seriously injured in the attack and were admitted in the local hospital. The police reportedly resorted to firing to disperse the mob. Biswash said inquiry has been ordered to probe into the police firing,Biswash said. He further said the clash occurred owing to dispute between the CPM and Trinamool Congress supporters.