A leader of the Kamduni Pratibadi Mancha, which had been critical of the state administration, was beaten up allegedly by members of another platform backed by ruling Trinamool Congress at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas district.
Bhaskar Mandal, a leader of Kamduni Pratibadi Mancha, was beaten up last night at a Jagaddhatri Puja pandal while members of the 'Kamduni Shanti Committee' alleged that they had been assaulted by the Mancha workers.
The 'Kamduni Shanti Committee' was formed in September apparently as a counter to the Mancha.
Additional Superintendent of Police Bhaskar Mukherjee said both sides have lodged FIRs over the incident at Kamduni which hit the headlines after a college girl was raped and brutally murdered in June there sparking public outcry.
Mukherjee said Mandal was taken to hospital but he was not admitted there as his injury was minor.
Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, who is Trinamool Congress in-charge of the district, claimed that Bhaskar and other people of the Mancha had beaten up two members of the Committee and even ransacked their houses.
Mullick said the police had organised a football match at Kamduni on Friday and after that "we talked to the people about development of the area but was not liked by the Mancha. The attack last night was a reflection of that."
CPI(M) and Congress were trying to revive the Mancha while the government was trying to develop the area, Mullick alleged.
Intellectuals, who had supported the villagers of Kamduni, for protest against the gangrape and murder of the college girl, went to the spot and protested against the alleged police inaction.
Mullick, however, said some intellectuals were trying to indulge in dirty politics on this issue.
