Clash between TC, CPI-M workers in Bengal

Six persons received gunshot injuries in a clash between Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India-Marxist workers at Haroa in North 24 Parganas district, while Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and a senior leader alleged their cars were intercepted by Marxist cadres while going to a rally in adjoining South 24 Parganas district.

The activists of rival outfits exchanged 50 rounds of fire and ransacked several houses and shops at Haroa, police said, adding six persons were wounded in the clash. Four persons were later arrested and raids were conducted to unearth arms, they said.

The Trinamool Congress has called for observation of 'black day' at Haroa tomorrow to protest the violence. At Netra bazar in South 24 Parganas district, the Trinamool Congress chief claimed her car was intercepted by Marxist cadre and bombs were thrown near one in which Leader of the Opposition and senior party leader Partha Chatterjee was travelling.

Banerjee claimed she had to walk four miles to the rally as a result of the interception. The police said it would probe the allegation. Chatterjee claimed "they gheraoed my car and exploded bombs."

Trinamool Congress sources alleged four party supporters were seriously injured when lathi-wielding CPI-M workers attacked them at Netrabazar. Police said the trouble started when some persons, allegedly belonging to Trinamool Congress, uprooted a welcome arch erected for chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's visit to Canning, the district headquarters, on October 11. When the rally ended, a mob also assaulted four scribes belonging to two TV channels at Netrabazar.