2 killed, 12 injured in West Bengal over Durga idol immersion

Kolkata, Oct 12 (IANS) Clashes between rival groups during goddess Durga's idol immersion left two dead and 12 injured in West Bengal's Birbhum district, the police said Sunday.

A clash took place between Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Trinamool Congress supporters during goddess Durga's idol immersion at Chakaipur village of Birbhum district.

'During the idol immersion, the clash initially started between two clubs. It soon took shape of a political conflict between the CPI-M and Trinamool supporters,' additional police superintendent Farhat Abbas told reporters Sunday.

'The two groups attacked each other with sticks and crude bombs. Subhas Saha, 28, was beaten to death while Sujit Leit, 23, died after receiving crude bomb injuries. One man was injured. We have started investigation,' Abbas added.

In another incident, a Class VII student was injured during idol immersion at Birbhum district's Ajaypur village.

There was a clash between two clubs over idol immersion. Nabani Dhibar, a class 7 student, who was with his father Hiralal Dhibar, a Puja committee member, received injuries on his arm, a police official said.

Yet another incident took place at Birbhum district's Majigram area where at least 10 people were injured in a clash over the coming Laxmi Puja.

'Trucks of cow-sellers were stopped Saturday evening by residents of Majigram demanding contribution for Laxmi Puja. On refusing, at least nine cow-sellers were beaten with sticks. A student, Dhani Bagdi, who was passing by, was also injured,' said Abbas.

'We had to lathi-charge and use tear gas to control the situation. Residents also threw stones and bricks at the police. Three people have been arrested,' Abbas added.