One killed, 18 hurt in Trinamool-CPM clashes in Bengal

One person was killed and at least 18 others were injured in a series of clashes between supporters of Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India since Sunday night in West Midnapore district, police said on Monday.

Altogether 12 Trinamool Congress workers were injured in a clash with CPI-M at Chakmari village under Debra police station, they said.

Houses of several CPI-M supporters were ransacked and a motorbike was torched during the clash which occurred when a Trinamool rally reached the spot.

Both sides claimed that their workers were abused and stoned by the other party. CPI-M leaders claimed six of their men were also injured.

While three injured were taken to a Kolkata hospital, others were admitted to hospitals in the district. Seven persons were arrested in this connection.

In another incident, the body of Trinamool Congress worker Ajijul Mondal was found on Monday morning at a field in Dhadika village under Garbeta police station, the sources said.

Mondal was missing since a clash between the two political party workers started at Dhadika on Sunday night. Six others were injured last night during a clash at Tarini village under Salboni police station, the sources said.

The incident occurred when a local CPI-M leader Bikas Ukil, who has been in hiding for a long time, was returning home with his followers.

Trinamool workers came to know about this and attacked him leading to the clash. Ukil had managed to flee again, the sources said, adding the injured were hospitalised.

Three persons were arrested in connection with another political clash at Chandrakona, they added.