West Bengal: Protesters burn vehicle over power project conflict, several injured

South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is again burning with action and this time because of anti-land acquisition movement in the region.

Not only stone pelting but even crude bombs are being hurled by protestors who are opposing the construction of a power grid in the area.

Members of the committee were holding rallies in the locality to garner support against the proposed power grid in the area. The members were carrying out the procession on bikes and cars.

The locals allege that the group fired bullets, pelted stones and even hurled crude bombs and later set the bikes and cars ablaze too.

One of the members was allegedly shot during the incident while several others got severely injured. The local shops were shut down seeing the situation getting worse.

"We saw a bike procession and the collision started after those bikes came. But we cannot say anything specifically as we were told to close our shops accidentally. I closed my shop in fear," said Nitai, a local who runs a shop in the area.

The group of activists who are allegedly supporters of Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee were attacked by TMC supporters in the area for protesting.

The TMC leader Arabul Islam said, "Bhumi Raksha Committee is generating terror in Bhangar. This clash was pre-planned. They were carrying bombs and other arms like guns."

Bhangar is the same area that has been witnessing tension and where Trinamool Congress has a strong hold, including leader Arabul, who has been in controversy for various reasons.  

Arabul Islam defended his party and said, "Their aim was to blame Mamata Banerjee for causing this terror. TMC is not responsible for this clash. The villagers want development and support the power grid plan. People who protested against power grid plan were actually blackmailed by the committee."

He added, "The committee members told them to cause the collision and frightened them saying that they would be fined twenty thousand rupees if they did not join the procession of Bhumi Raksha Committee. This committee again occluded Haroa road which is near Natunhat."  

The locals are still in shock and are avoiding to come outside their houses in fear.

Stating about the fear that this clash has caused a local named Lakshmi Sarkar said "We villagers were frightened due to the bomb blasts. Bombs were thrown which hit the shops and houses and everything were ransacked. We are still in trauma. All these were accidental so we are very much scared now. This kind of incident never happened before in this area."

The area remains tensed and police deployment from local Kashipur Police station is being increased.

(with inputs from Prosenjit Saha)