Violence marred panchayat polls in West Bengal earlier in May. (file photo) Violence marred panchayat polls in West Bengal earlier in May. (file photo)

Three persons were killed and around 15 injured in a clash between TMC and CPM workers over the formation of panchayat boards in Amdanga, North 24 Parganas, late on Tuesday night. Police sources said workers of both parties hurled crude bombs and shot at each other. They had also torched party offices, damaged vehicles and ransacked houses, they added.

Violence was largely reported in Taraberia, Moricha and Bodai gram panchayat areas. The process of forming panchayat boards in all three areas has been suspended temporarily. “Bombs were hurled and bullets were fired, about three persons have been killed,” said a police officer. “So far, 10 people have been arrested and police are continuing raids.”

Police also recovered a large cache of crude bombs. TMC district president Jyotipriyo Mullick said two of the deceased, Nasir Haldar (26) and Kuddus Ghani (34), were party workers. Police sources said the third deceased, Muzzafar Ahmed (31), was a CPM worker. According to sources, while the two TMC workers died of bullet injuries, the CPM cadre died after a bomb was hurled at him.

Meanwhile, Mullick, who is also a state minister, met the families of the two deceased TMC workers and assured them of all support. The TMC claimed that the CPM, with the help of BJP, had orchestrated the violence. “CPM leaders prepared a blueprint for creating violence in the area, otherwise from where did so many arms and bombs come?”

The CPM hit back at the TMC. “There is no doubt that our country is going through an emergency situation, but right now, the worst emergency is in Bengal… It is an open murder of democracy. To hide their weaknesses, they (TMC) are falsely blaming others,” said CPM leader Sitaram Yechury.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd