Clashes Again In Bengal's Bhatpara Soon After BJP Team's Visit

Violence broke out again in West Bengal's Bhatpara, barely 30 km north of Kolkata, on Saturday soon after a team of BJP leaders visited the violence-hit town. Several people were injured in the clashes. The three-member BJP delegation visited Bhatpara to review the situation after two people were killed and several injured in political clashes on Thursday.

Moments after the delegation left, two groups clashed with each other and threw country-made bombs and stones at each other, violating the ban on large gatherings following Thursday's violence. Anti-police slogans too were raised. The police had to resort to baton charge to disperse the crowd.

A BJP activist died in Amdanga on Friday after allegedly being beaten up by Trinamool Congress supporters, a BJP leader claimed. BJP sources alleged Nizamul Karim, 23, was beaten up by Trinamool workers in Amdanga, around 18 km from Bhatpara. He died of his injuries at a Kolkata hospital, police said.

Former union minister SS Ahluwalia, BJP lawmakers Satya Pal Singh and BD Ram visited Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district after the BJP central leadership had asked them to visit the area. They will submit a report to Home Minister Amit Shah who is also the BJP president. Amid tight security, the three BJP leaders did a recce of the area with supporters chanting ''Jai Shri Ram''.

Two people had died and seven others were injured in clashes in Bhatpara on Thursday.

The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP have both blamed each other for the clashes, which occurred amid a tussle for political dominance over the area.

"When the clash between two groups took place, police baton charged one group and shot at the other. We want to know who took that decision? Who was behind this conspiracy? There should be a thorough probe into this. We will submit the report to Amit Shah and apprise him of the on-ground situation here," Mr Ahluwalia of the BJP delegation said, commenting on Thursday's violence.

Earlier on Saturday, a joint delegation of CPM and Congress visited the troubled areas of Baruipara, Jagaddal, Bhatpara. They demanded a CBI inquiry into the killings.

Violence intensified in the area ever since Trinamool Congress legislator Arjun Singh crossed over to the BJP and was elected to Lok Sabha from Barrackpore.

The region, which falls under the Barrackpore parliamentary constituency, has been tense since the election results were announced on May 23.

On Friday evening, a man who had switched sides from the CPM to the BJP was attacked and beaten to death allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers in Amdanga, 18 km from Bhatpara. The incident took place soon after Arjun Singh visited his home.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)