1 Dead, 4 Injured As Clashes Break Out Between Two Groups In Bengal's Cooch Behar

The incident comes just days after a clash broke out in the district between the workers of the ruling TMC and BJP during scrutiny of nomination papers for the panchayat elections. 

Clashes broke out in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Monday ( Image Source :ANI )

A clash broke out between two groups in Gitaldaha in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar on Tuesday, said officials. As per an ANI report, 5 people received bullet injuries during the clash of which one Babu Hoque has died, said Sumit Kumar, Cooch Behar Superintendent of Police. The incident comes just days after a clash broke out in the district between the workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party during scrutiny of nomination papers for the panchayat elections. 

As per a PTI report, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik was also allegedly attacked during the June 17 clashes. 

West Bengal | A clash broke out between two groups in Gitaldaha, Cooch Behar this morning. As per info, 5 people have received bullet injuries, of which one Babu Hoque has died. The situation is peaceful. Police present on the spot: Sumit Kumar SP, Cooch Behar pic.twitter.com/Zxb9rAmOdq

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

Lashing out at the ruling party, the BJP alleged that a bomb was hurled at the MoS while police stood helpless.

Narrating the incident, MoS Nisith Pramanik, as quoted by PTI, said police stood as silent spectators when the clash broke out. He further said the papers were allegedly snatched from the BJP workers and the women were assaulted. Such acts are an insult to the Constitution, the minister added.

According to West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar, TMC leader Udayan Guha was present at the site of the incident with around 1000-1500 goons who allegedly snatched the B forms from the BJP workers at the Block Development Office in Sahebganj.

“A bomb was hurled at the car of Nisith Pramanik. Police is literally helpless. Udayan Guha is standing there with his goons, with 1000-1500 people. They are snatching Form B from the hands of our workers. Election Commission and State administration are silent over this. If a minister can be attacked like that, we can imagine what the situation in West Bengal might be. Is Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee running the state or doing drama,” news agency ANI quoted Sukanta Majumdar as saying.