Tension gripped Lalbagh in Murshidabad district on Sunday evening after supporters of the CPM and members of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu organisations clashed during competing programmes near a CPM party office.
Both sides accused each other of initiating the violence.
Clash Breaks Out Near CPM Office
The incident reportedly took place in the Nimtala area of Lalbagh town, where a pre scheduled CPM workers’ meeting was being held at the party office.
Around the same time, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch activists allegedly organised a programme outside the CPM office and used loudspeakers directed towards the party premises.
According to the CPM, the confrontation began when its workers objected to the programme and attempted to leave the office to submit a deputation at Murshidabad Police Station.
The two groups allegedly became involved in a scuffle, which later escalated into a larger confrontation.
CPM Alleges Vehicles Were Damaged
The CPM alleged that between 30 and 40 motorcycles were damaged and several of its workers were injured.
Some of the injured were reportedly taken to Lalbagh Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment.
The party also alleged that its office was surrounded by members of the opposing group, leaving around 40 workers, including local leaders, inside while police intervened to bring the situation under control.
Manu Sheikh, secretary of the CPM’s Lalbagh Area Committee, alleged that the Bajrang Dal and affiliated organisations deliberately organised their programme outside the party office.
“While our pre-announced workers’ meeting was in progress, the BJP and its affiliated organisations forcibly set up loudspeakers in front of the party office gate and started their own meeting. When we protested, they attacked us, beat us severely and vandalised several motorcycles,” Sheikh claimed.
BJP, Bajrang Dal Reject Allegations
The Bajrang Dal and BJP have rejected the allegations and offered a different account of the incident.
They claimed that CPM workers initiated the confrontation while a programme involving the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa was under way.
BJP Lalbagh Town president Nibir Das alleged that some CPM leaders had recently made objectionable remarks concerning Lord Hanuman and said the Hindu organisations had organised a protest against those remarks.
He claimed that CPM workers subsequently attacked the protesters with firearms and sticks.
Police Receive Complaints From Both Sides
Police have received written complaints from both sides and have begun an investigation into the incident.
Officers were deployed in the area after the clash to prevent any further escalation.
The allegations made by both groups regarding who initiated the violence could not be independently verified from the information available.
