BARRACKPORE: The Barrackpore sub-divisional administrative office premises turned into a battlefield on Wednesday afternoon as a clash broke out between the supporters of Trinamool and BJP, with bullets flying and the mob hurling bricks at police.
At least 15 people, including Trinamool’s Barrackpore candidate and filmmaker Raj Chakraborty, BJP’s Bijpur candidate Subhranshu Roy and three cops, were injured, while two vehicles were severely damaged.
The candidates of the two parties—Chakraborty, Barrackpore’s BJP candidate Chandramoni Shukla, Bijpur’s BJP candidate Subhranshu Roy and Trinamool candidate Subodh Adhikari—had gone to submit their nomination papers when their supporters came to blows. A large police contingent, including RAF and combat forces, led by senior officers from the Barrackpore commissionerate, reached the spot; cops resorted to lathicharge to disperse the warring sides.
Five persons were arrested and a revolver was seized from the spot. The candidates did manage to submit their nomination papers to the SDO office, where security arrangements were stepped up later.
According to local sources, trouble broke out around 11am, when hundreds of workers from BJP and Trinamool converged on the area outside the Barrackpore SDO building, waiting for their party candidates to arrive. Soon after Trinamool’s Chakraborty, along with his wife, actor Subhasree, accompanied by party supporters, reached the SDO office, a scuffle broke out between the rival sides. BJP workers had gathered there for Barrackpore’s BJP candidate Chandramoni Shukla.
“We took out a peaceful procession from Titagarh to Barrackpore SDO office, where I was supposed to submit my nomination paper,” said Chakraborty, who was injured in the scuffle. “BJP supporters had already gathered in front of the SDO building and deliberately attacked our workers. I got injured in my leg, which has swollen up. I somehow managed to enter the office and submit my nomination paper. Even I came to learn that the goons had opened fire, which is horrible. Police should have taken necessary action earlier to curb such hooliganism.”
The situation took a turn for worse after Bijpur’s BJP candidate Subhranshu Roy and Trinamool candidate Subodh Adhikari reached the premises, accompanied by their respective trail of supporters. The workers from the two parties reportedly took up position on opposite flanks of SN Banerjee Road of the Barrackpore Cantonment area and hurled bricks at each other. While police tried to disperse the warring groups, a mob started pelting the cops with bricks and stones. The attack continued even when Roy left the office after filing his nomination paper. “Trinamool-backed goons were waiting for me. As I was leaving in my car, they hurled bricks at my vehicle and I also received injuries in my shoulder. The Trinamool men even opened fire. More than 10 BJP supporters had to be admitted to Barrackpore BN Bose Hospital after being attacked by Trinamool men,” Roy claimed. His vehicle was badly damaged.
Barrackpore Police commissioner Ajay Kr Nanda confirmed the arrest of the five persons.
“Supporters of the two parties suddenly engaged in a scuffle and resorted to violence during the clash. The crowd has been dispersed and the situation is now under control,” the commissioner said.