Alipurduar, July 12 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Two people were arrested on Friday in connection with a clash between two groups of Trinamool Congress supporters that took place in Alipurduar district on July 9, the day central trade unions observed a nationwide strike.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ranjit Roy and Dhanashyam Rava. Both are said to be supporters of the Trinamool Congress, according to sources.
Ranjit, husband of Tapshikhata panchayat chief Shefali Barman, and Dhanashyam, grandson of Alipurduar 1 panchayat samiti member Lakshmikanta Rava, were involved in the incident.
On July 9, during the general strike called by Left trade unions, two groups of Trinamool supporters—one led by Ranjit and the other by Lakshmikanta—gathered at the entrance of the Patkapara tea estate. They intended to open the garden gate as a show of defiance against the strike, claiming that workers had resumed duties.
Ranjit and Lakshmikanta were accompanied by their respective groups of supporters during the incident.
“An altercation ensued between the two groups over who took the step to foil the strike. Soon, both sides attacked each other with bricks, sticks and stones, desperate to take the credit,” said a source.
Five people, including Ranjit, were injured in the clash. To prevent further attack, Ranjit allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired two rounds into the air.
Both factions lodged complaints at the Alipurduar police station on Thursday. Based on the complaints, police arrested Ranjit and Dhanashyam on Friday. Dhanashyam was reportedly with Lakshmikanta during the altercation.
A local court has remanded the duo in police custody for 10 days.
“The allegation against my husband is completely false. He was not carrying any firearm and has been falsely implicated in the case,” said Shefali, Ranjit’s wife.
Lakshmikanta, on the other hand, defended his grandson. “He suffered injuries, but the police arrested him. Ranjit Roy tried to shoot my two grandsons,” he said.
Tushar Kanti Roy, the Trinamool president of Alipurduar 1 block committee, said: “Nobody is above the law. The party has nothing to say on the arrests. Those who were involved in the incident will face legal consequences.”
