TMC supporter shot dead, bandh-like situation at Pundibari

Narayan Mahanayak (52), a local Trinamool Congress supporter, was shot dead at Pundibari in Cooch Behar Block-II last night following which police patrolling was on in the area.

The TMC supporter was shot dead during an altercation between two groups of people at about 8-30 PM, the police said.

He was immediately rushed to MJN Hospital in Cooch Behar where the doctors declared him 'brought dead'.

Following the shootout, a few shops and hotel were ransacked last night. Soon after, a heavy police contingent rushed to the spot.

Senior police officials including DIG (Jalpaiguri), C S Lepcha too visited the trouble-torn area.

Following the incident, a bandh-like situation was today prevailing in the area, adjacent to NH 31, with roads wearing a deserted look and shops and markets remaining closed.

The police said a probe had been initiated.

Mahanayak was a former Gram Panchayat member of CPI-M.

While Cooch Behar district TMC president Rabindranath Ghosh said that local unit BJP president Sukumar Roy was allegedly involved in the incident, district BJP president Hemchandra Barman alleged that the incident was a result of Trinamool Congress' intra-party rivalry.

Locals said that last night's incident occurred following a dispute over a contract of the ongoing railway work at Pundibari area.