5 security personnel injured as rival TMC groups clash in Sandeshkhali; gunfire and crude bombs rock area

KOLKATA: Post-poll violence continued to rock parts of West Bengal with a clash between rival Trinamool Congress (TMC) groups in North 24 Parganas’ Sandeshkhali leaving five security personnel injured, while a BJP worker and a TMC worker were killed in separate incidents, news agency PTI reported.As per the PTI report, the Sandeshkhali incident occurred during a late-night patrol, when clashes broke out between TMC factions in which guns and crude bombs were allegedly used. Security forces recovered weapons from the spot.A day earlier, BJP worker Madhu Mondal died after being allegedly beaten up by TMC workers during a victory procession in New Town on Tuesday evening. According to police, the incident took place in Bhalliguri area following an argument as a BJP rally passed by.Mondal was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. The incident triggered retaliatory attacks by BJP supporters on houses of TMC workers and led to a road blockade. Central forces were deployed to restore normalcy.In another incident earlier in the day, TMC worker Abir Sheikh was hacked to death in Birbhum’s Nanoor area. Police said Sheikh, an Anchal Committee member of the party, was attacked during an argument at Santoshpur village.Sheikh died on the spot, while another person sustained injuries. Additional police forces were rushed to the area amid rising tension.TMC MLA-elect Bidhan Majhi alleged that Sheikh was killed by BJP workers, while BJP leader Shyamapada Mondal denied the charge and demanded a fair probe.