A violent clash between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers erupted late on Tuesday night in the Aachra panchayat area of Salanpur block in West Burdwan, leaving several people from both sides injured and the locality on edge into the early hours. Police had to make significant efforts to bring the situation under control. Two TMC workers suffered serious injuries and were rushed to Asansol district hospital for treatment. BJP, on its part, claimed that around 10 of its workers sustained serious injuries to the head and body during the clash. Some of the injured received first aid at Pithakeyari hospital, while several others had to be referred to Asansol district hospital as their condition worsened.
BJP says trouble began over a pickup van
According to BJP's account, two pickup vans were spotted parked outside a house near the Aachra panchayat office late at night. BJP workers questioned what was being unloaded from the vehicles. The party alleges that TMC supporters, including Pallav Tiwari and Ronny Tiwari, then attacked them with firearms, punches and other weapons. What began as a simple query over the vans quickly escalated into an open, violent confrontation between the two sides.
TMC's version: a large crowd of BJP supporters attacked
Trinamool Congress presented a very different account of the same night. The party alleges that a large number of BJP supporters arrived at the spot and attacked its workers. Pallav Tiwari suffered a serious head injury in the assault. TMC further alleged that an attempt was made to set a motorcycle on fire during the melee, adding to the panic in the area. TMC leader Pallav Tiwari directly blamed BJP leader Chinmoy Tiwari for the attack, claiming it was carried out on his instructions.
Chinmoy Tiwari denies the allegations
Responding to the accusations, BJP leader Chinmoy Tiwari rejected all the allegations against him. He said people in the area had suffered oppression during TMC's rule and that the public had now risen up against it. He made clear that he does not support any form of violence and appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands.
Family says school books were being unloaded
Pallav Tiwari's elder brother, Sanjay Sukul, offered another perspective on the incident. He said that his personal school books and other belongings were being unloaded from the pickup van at the time when a group of 10 to 15 people armed with sticks and iron rods suddenly arrived and attacked them. According to Sukul, the attackers also attempted to set the vehicle on fire, which left both Pallav Tiwari and Ronny Tiwari seriously injured.
Complaints filed, Congress leader calls it unfortunate
Following the clash, both TMC and BJP said they would file written complaints against each other at the police station. On learning of the incident, Congress leader Prasenjit Puitandi also reached the spot. He said there is no longer any real difference between TMC and BJP, adding that the public had wanted change through peaceful means, but that violence of this kind was extremely unfortunate. He demanded strict action against those found guilty. Both political parties have levelled serious allegations against each other in this case, and police are investigating the matter, though the claims from either side have not yet been independently confirmed.
