2 killed in political clash in West Bengal

Two youths were killed in a clash on Saturday between two factions of a political party here in South 24 Parganas district, police said. One Bapan Mondal was gunned down by some people, following which the rival group shot dead Rajesh Mondal in retalitation at Deota village, SP Praveen Kumar Tripathy said. In the ensuing clash, before a police force arrived, a house was also set ablaze but no one was injured in the fire, the SP said.

One person has been arrested in connection with arson, he said. The village is a Trinamool Congress stronghold and the local gram panchayat is controlled by the party. Villagers and Opposition CPI(M) claimed that the clash was between two factions of the ruling party over stakes in the panchayat.

Additional SP Roopesh Kumar is leading the police force in the area where tension prevailed. The Opposition has alleged that panchayat chief Panchu Mondal had been removed by the group claiming allegiance to TMC leader Arabul Islam.