TMC internal feud lead to clashes, teenager injured

 A student of class VIII was injured on Sunday when a stray bullet hit him in the stomach as people owing allegiance allegedly to two leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress exchanged fire and hurled bombs at the Kaliachak area of the district.

According to the district police, trouble started when the groups of Bakul Sheikh and Jakir Sheikh started hurling bombs at each other over factional feud near Nauda-Jadupur area close to National Highway-34. Bakul's son 15-year-old Mohd Azim Alam was returning from Jalalpur after taking tuition. As soon as he reached Jadupur, he was targeted and fired upon. A bullet hit the boy's stomach and he was rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital for treatment, the police said.

As soon as the news spread, a large number of people from Bakul Sheikh's group blocked the National Highway and started demonstrating. They demanded that the criminals be immediately arrested.
"A police contingent rushed to the area and the blockade was later on lifted. Investigations are on," said a senior police officer of Kaliachak police station.

Trinamool Congress district president Moazzem Hossain said Bakul Sheihk was recently found guilty of anti-party activities and was suspended from the party for six years. "We have demanded that the guilty be punished," Hossain said denying any TMC factional feud in the area.