Siliguri: Tension prevailed in Siliguri after a youth was allegedly forcibly picked up from Hawkers Corner and attacked, leading to political protests and mass clashes in wards 20 and 28.
The dispute reportedly stems from a cricket match held a few days ago in Jyoti Nagar Colony of ward number 20, during which a brawl broke out between local youths and a group from Dangipara. Though the matter was resolved with the intervention of the local councillor, it again took a violent turn.
On Tuesday, a group of around 15-20 youths allegedly attacked a young shopkeeper based in Hawkers Corner, forcibly took him to Dangipara and beat him up badly. The victim somehow escaped and later lodged a complaint at the Siliguri police station, which was also joined by his family and local residents, demanding immediate action.
On Wednesday morning, BJP leaders including Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh, Leader of Opposition in Siliguri Municipal Corporation Amit Jain, party workers and the victim’s family staged a protest at the police station and subsequently blocked the road.
Soon after, clashes broke out again between the two groups in Ward 28, turning the area into a conflict zone. Stones were pelted, following which the police had to resort to tear gas shells and lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Several people were detained during the incident.
Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar reached the spot with a heavy police force and took control of the situation.
In this regard, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb said that the police took prompt action and brought the situation under control. He claimed that the unrest broke out over a minor dispute during a cricket match and accused the opposition of instigating violence.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh alleged that three Trinamool councillors tried to hush up the matter. He further claimed that when the victim went to lodge a complaint, he was taken into custody. He accused the ruling party of trying to suppress the incident.
