Two killed in Trinamool-CPI-M clash over land

KOLKATA - Two activists, one each from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Trinamool Congress, were killed Wednesday following a clash over a piece of land in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district, police said.

“Two people were killed after miscreants backed by the CPI-M and the Trinamool hurled bombs against each other at Gopalpur area in the district,” said North 24-Parganas Police Superintendent Rahul Srivasthava.

“Several houses were ransacked and looted by the miscreants. A police picket has been set up in the area and the situation is under control now,” he said.

According to locals, the clash broke out Tuesday night between the activists of the two parties over capturing a plot of land in the area. Bombs were hurled and bricks thrown. Houses were also torched.

“Early Wednesday, Aiyub Gazi, a CPI-M activist, succumbed to his injuries after being hit by bomb splinters. As news of Aiyub’s death spread, the CPI-M men turned violent and attacked the Trinamool supporters,” said a villager.

“CPI-M men attacked Trinamool Gopalpur block secretary Mukul Gazi’s house and hacked him to death. Two of his family members were also injured by the CPI-M activists,” said the villager.