Villagers tense as political parties resort to violence in West Bengal

Villagers near Birbhum district in West Bengal were left badly shaken as they witnessed violent clashes between two rival political groups on Sunday.

Supporters of the BJP and Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC) resorted to hooliganism, vandalism and hurling of crude bombs at each other.

Police burst tear gas shells and allegedly fired a couple of rounds to bring the situation under control.

Reportedly, Sheikh Jasim, suspected to be a BJP supporter in Chowmondalpur village, was shot dead during this clash when he was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress members.

A villager, Sheikh Hossain Ali, said regular clashes between both the political parties has created tension in the village and everyday life has been disrupted.

"We don't understand politics. We are relatives of a party worker, that's why they attacked our house. We called the police 15 times but they didn't come when our house was being vandalised. We don't know to whom to report," said Ali.

Many houses of innocent people were attacked in the clashes between BJP and TMC workers.

"We are feeling very insecure. If the government doesn't provide protection, we will have to leave the village," added Ali.

Superintendent of Police, Birbhum district, Alok Rajoria, visited the village on Sunday. The body was brought to Suri Sadar Hospital for post-mortem, hospital authorities said.

At Sirsitta village, a TMC worker was attacked by BJP workers and injured by bullets in his leg. Later, he was admitted in Suri hospital.

Five people have been arrested by the police, including father of the deceased. The situation in the region remains tense.

Sporadic clashes between the supporters of the rival political parties have taken place in the villages of Sirsita, Chowmondalpur and Jadabpur in Parui since Saturday night.