Indian Idol fans clash in Siliguri

Indian Idol Prashant Tamang has appealed for peace in Siliguri after clashes between his supporters and locals forced the authorities to impose a curfew. The Army and the Border Security Force had to be called in to bring the situation under control.

"I urge you all to maintain calm, otherwise I may not be able to concentrate on my career," Tamang said in an appeal on a private TV channel in Bengali and Nepali.

 Tamang expressed hope that peace would return, "and everyone will remain as happy as ever."

A radio jockey's remarks against Indian Idol Prashant Tamang triggered clashes between his fans and local residents in Siliguri on Friday.

The trouble erupted when a 2000-strong procession of fans was marching to the Sub Divisional Officer's office to submit a memorandum to protest against the derogatory comments by a FM radio jockey in Delhi against Tamang, said the police.

Tamang's fans blocked an ambulance which was on its way to the Siliguri Zilla Hospital on Hospital Road. When the local residents protested against this, Tamang's fans started vandalising shops in the area.

Two persons were injured when the police fired three rounds at the protestors. Meanwhile, the local residents chased the fans who took shelter in a court compound, said Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) R J S Nawla.

He added that the angry mob set fire to a number of cars and two police jeeps.

The curfew will continue till the situation becomes normal, said Darjeeling's district magistrate Rajesh Pandey.

Speaking about the incident, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "I called for the Army and they have reached Siliguri."  The Army, he added, was escorting about 150 to 200 fans still trapped in the court compound to safety.

The chief minister said that the Union Home Ministry has been urged to take steps in consultation with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry against the FM radio jockey who had made the derogatory comments against Tamang.