Siliguri, April 29 (Siliguri Journal) – Tension rose in Matigara Anchal II as clashes broke out between supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Six BJP workers were injured in the incident. In response, the BJP has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the Matigara area of Siliguri.
Following the peaceful conclusion of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, a violent clash between BJP and TMC workers emerged just two days after the polls.
Reportedly, in a bid to enforce the shutdown, BJP workers hit the streets on Monday morning. They staged protests by burning tires on the roads and urged locals to close down open shops in the area.
On Sunday, a dispute arose between the TMC and the BJP regarding the chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in the mentioned area. The disagreement quickly turned into a physical altercation. The BJP claimed that individuals linked to the TMC attacked them with sharp weapons over the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan. They stated that six people, including women, were injured in the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital.
Following the incident, BJP District President Arun Mandal and party workers gathered around the Matigara police station on Sunday night, chanting slogans. Mandal accused the police of inaction, claiming that despite informing the In-Charge (IC) of the police station about the incident in the morning, no steps were taken. He warned that if the attackers were not apprehended, they would persist with their protest outside the police station.
Meanwhile, Bhajan Kanto Barman, President of the Trinamool Congress in Matigara Anchal II, refuted the allegation, stating that it was false.
