Citu, RSP activists clash in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, April 13: A clash between activists of two labour unions ~ one backed by the Citu and the other by RSP ~ threw traffic out of gear on NH-34 at Rathabari, in the heart of English Bazaar town, for more than four hours this morning.Trouble broke out after a private bus driver was allegedly beaten up by a group of motor vehicle workers, backed by the Citu, for stopping the bus at Rathabari traffic signal post early this morning. The incident later snowballed into a clash between activists of the Citu-backed union for small motor vehicle workers and the RSP-backed union for private bus and mini bus workers.The RSP activists blocked NH-34 and other connecting roads, including the flyover at Rathabari, to protest against the Citu’s alleged highhandedness. Senior police officials rushed to the spot to control the situation. The situation, however, turned violent after the police allegedly resorted to lathicharge to disperse the clashing activists of the two groups. Later, Malda SDO Ms Arunima De reached the spot and assured the agitators that they would inquire into the incident. She reportedly told the agitators that Malda SP had not ordered for the lathicharge.Protesting against the attack on the bus driver, all private buses and mini buses stayed off the roads for a better part of the day today. Bus services, however, resumed in the evening. It was learnt that recently an altercation took place between the bus operators and small contract carrier workers over the issue of picking up passengers from Rathbari. The carrier workers were not in favour of the bus operators picking up passengers from Rathabari. Anti-Citu workers’ unions, backed by Trinamul Congress and Congress, also joined the RSP-backed union in today’s clash.After the attack on the bus driver around 6.00 am today, all private bus owners, workers and union leaders raided the area with iron rods and other weapons. They also ransacked the Citu’s temporary office at Rathbari. Several persons were injured in the clash. The Citu supporters, however, escaped unhurt when their office was raided this morning. The Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said that the SDO would convene a meeting with both groups to sort out the dispute. He, however, denied allegation that the police resorted to lathicharge to control the situation. “I have no such idea,” he said. No one has been arrested yet.