BJP supporters clash with police in Kolkata

A clash took place between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and police near Kolkata's Hazra crossing on Thursday leaving at least 17 injured.

Video grabs showed police resorted to a cane-charge to control the BJP activists protesting against the attack on Union Minister Babul Supriyo in Asansol town of West Bengal's Burdwan district on Wednesday.

Police said they had to take evasive action following "unprovoked stone pelting" by the agitators that injured 13 police personnel and damaged three vans. Four BJP supporters were also injured in the process.

"Total 18 agitators were arrested including five women in the incident," police said.

The BJP called for a mass agitation at Hazra crossing on Thursday to protest against the alleged attack on Supriyo allegedly by Trinamool supporters.

The situation went out of control when the agitators tried to break the three layered police barricade to go towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at nearby Kalighat.

"We were holding a peaceful rally but police started pushing and instigating us. Several of our party workers including women were severely beaten up," said actor-turned- BJP leader Roopa Ganguly.

"Trinamool is trying to terrorise the opposition and creating undemocratic regime in the state," complained state BJP president Rahul Sinha.

--IANS

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