Bhangar clashes: Did outsiders dressed as policemen attack protesters, ask villagers

Villagers of Bhangar woke up on Wednesday morning to find police uniforms strewn across the fields of the village.

Uniforms of West Bengal Police officials, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Combat Force were found lying on the fields. This apart, helmets and bullet-proof jackets were also found.

According to the villagers, several ‘outsiders’ dressed as police officers opened fire at the protesters and even attacked their houses. However, a section of villagers

However, a section of villagers allege that this is the handiwork of Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman from Bhangar, Arabul Islam. “In the name of police, Islam’s men attacked us and our houses. They opened fire and hurled bombs at us,” said Safikul, a villager.

A day ago, violent clashes broke out between the villagers and the police. As many as two villagers were left dead in the clashes. Both of them had suffered bullet injuries.

Meanwhile, the villagers have put up a road blockade on almost all entry points with uprooted trees and bricks to prevent police from entering the villages.

On Wednesday, the villagers claimed that their protest and agitation will continue till the time the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces the closure of the project. When she announces it herself, only then they will believe that the project has been scrapped.

Banerjee reached the West Bengal Police Headquarters to chair a high-level meeting with the DG of Police and ADG (Law and Order) over the prevailing situation at Bhangar.