Fresh clashes in 4 districts over formation of panchayat boards

The CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress workers clashed with each other and vandalised a police vehicle. A large contingent of police was deployed in the area to contain the situation.

Some people have been detained in connection with the violence, the police said. Of the 23 seats in Shitalpur panchayat, the TMC has won 11, the CPI(M) 5, the independents 2, and the BJP 5. The BJP has joined hands with the CPI(M) to form the board here.

Kali Shankar Maiti, a local CPI(M) worker, said, “If they had to arrest our pradhan post candidate, why did not they do it earlier? The Trinamool supporters came with the police and attacked us.”

In Khanakul-1 panchayat of Hooghly district, a clash occurred between the supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool with both sides hurling bombs at each other. Government vehicles were also vandalised.

A large number of police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were rushed to the spot. The dispute started after the TMC formed the board. Of the 18 seats in the Khanakul-1 panchayat, the TMC and BJP have won 9 each.

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in the area amid enhanced police patrolling.
In Bishnupur-2 gram panchayat of Rajarhat in North 24 Parganas district, two factions of the TMC clashed with each other over the board formation, with one claiming that the pradhan and deputy pradhan cannot be from the same area.

Of the 24 seats in the panchayat, the Trinamool has won 17, CPI(M) 3, BJP 2, and the ISF 2.

Clashes also took place between two Trinamool factions in the Islampur panchayat of Howrah district’s Panchala block over the pradhan’s post. As a result, the board formation process could not be completed in the panchayat where the party has won all 15 seats. The police resorted to baton-charge to bring the situation under control.