Clash near pandal in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Oct. 8: Three persons were arrested as a clash took place between Puja committee members and a group of youths belonging to other community, at Vivekanandapally in English Bazaar town last late night, Malda SP said today.

Trouble broke out following an altercation over the issue of a lane which was blocked by the Puja Committee, police said. According to police, a few youths in an inebriated state were adamant to go through the lane by rickshaw when the committee members resisted them. Clash broke out between two groups when adamant youths allegedly ransacked the Puja pandal. Two persons were injured and were later admitted to Malda district hospital last night.

Demanding arrest of those culprits Puja committee members blocked National Highway 34 at Sukanta More last night and today afternoon for a few hours. To defuse tension huge police personnel have been deployed under the leadership of deputy superintendent of police there.

“We have arrested one person last night and two others belonging to other community today. We shall arrest one Sujit, who was critically injured by the committee members and is now undergoing treatment at the hospital”, said Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, the Malda SP. “Sujit was with the youths who belong to the other community”, Malda SP said adding that the incident was unfortunate.Police are trying hard to defuse tension, which is still brewing, calling for a peace meeting there.