16 held, people defy prohibitory orders and throw stones at cops in Bhatpara

Defying prohibitory orders, locals and BJP leaders walked in a rally on Friday with the bodies of two persons killed in firing during a clash of two groups of miscreants at Bhatpara area of North 24 Parganas district.

The situation remained tense with prohibitory orders in force and huge police deployment in the area while 16 people were arrested in connection with the clashes, an official said.

Two people were killed and 11 injured on Thursday after clashes broke out between two groups suspected to be affiliated to the TMC and the BJP.

Accompanying the bodies while they were being taken to their residences, the rallyists also held a demonstration against the huge police deployment in the area.

A police officer said, during the rally, the locals along with the BJP workers got involved into a tussle with policemen and pelted stones at them, following which the force restored to lathicharge.

Expressing concern, Governor K N Tripathi told PTI, "Not only in Bhatpara but in the entire state, there is a need to keep peace. I have time and again said that violence should be stopped. Let society be peaceful."
On whether the deaths were because of police firing, as alleged by the locals, the DG had said, "The cause of the deaths is under investigation. Police fired in the air."