BJP–TMC workers clash in Howrah; police resort lathi charge to disperse crowd

KOLKATA: Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in Howrah and Haroa areas of West Bengal ahead of the second phase of polling on April 29, a senior police official said on Sunday.In Howrah town, clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters over sloganeering during a roadshow of the BJP’s Uttar Howrah candidate Umesh Rai.As the roadshow passed a TMC election office on G T Road, TMC supporters raised their poll slogan “Joy Bangla,” which was countered by BJP supporters chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”The exchange escalated into an altercation between the two groups, resulting in a scuffle. Central forces then resorted to a baton charge to disperse supporters of both BJP and TMC, a police official said.BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan was leading the roadshow; however, his vehicle had already crossed the spot by the time the clash occurred.Meanwhile, on Saturday night, a police sub-inspector was injured while attempting to pacify TMC and Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters at Haroa in North 24 Parganas district during a roadshow organised by ISF, the official said.According to police, ISF supporters returning from a rally addressed by party leader Naushad Siddique were allegedly taunted by TMC supporters at a street corner meeting, which led to a clash.Both ISF and TMC claimed that several of their supporters were injured in the incident.The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for April 29, with counting of votes set for May 4.(With agency inputs)