The police station was ransacked and set on fire by the mob.
Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the attack on a police station in Burdwan's Ausgram on Saturday, during which several policemen suffered injuries. Among those arrested is Chanchal Gharai, the local councillor of the ruling Trinamool Congress, and a CP(M) leader.
The trouble had started over a road blockade against illegal construction near a local school. Some locals alleged that teachers and students were lathicharged, following which the mob had turned on the police. Now the police are on the lookout for others who may be behind the violence.
Heavy security has been deployed and the Rapid Action Force has been patrolling the area.
The arrests come after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the police to take strict action against those responsible for the attack.
Earlier, she had sent out a message asking people not to take the law into their own hands if their grievances were not addressed. "Please approach higher authorities with a deputation but do not indulge in violence. Problems can be solved through talks," the Chief Minister had said.
On Saturday, the policemen had been attacked with bow and arrows, lathis and stones. The police station was ransacked and set on fire by the mob. Several parked vehicles were vandalised.
After the attack, in visuals that would made citizens extremely uncomfortable and worried about their safety, a policeman, almost in tears, recounted the attack in front of television cameras.
A mob of nearly 3000 people "threw huge stones at us", said Sub-Inspector Dipankar Pal. Unable to shut the gates, he got manhandled by the mob. "Some people hid to save themselves. They set a room on fire and damaged vehicles," he had added.