3 MORE KILLED OVER FORMATION OF PANCHAYAT BOARD IN BENGAL

BERHAMPORE/MIDNAPORE: Violence continued over the formation of panchayat boards in Bengal with three persons being killed in clashes in two districts of the state, pushing the death toll to four since August 25.

On Monday, two persons were killed in Manikchak of Malda district, while another lost his life in Raghunathpur of Purulia.

Clashes were also reported from North 24 Parganas (Deganga), North Dinajpur (Chopra), Jalpaiguri (Falakata) and Howrah districts.

In Kolkata, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state general secretary Sayantan Basu said they apprehended that violence will increase in the next few days when the boards will be formed.

Salam Sheikh, 34, and Azhar Sheikh, 64, both residents of Gopalpur-Hukumattola area in Malda, about 345km north of Kolkata, were killed when clashes broke out allegedly between two factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Niranjan Gope, a BJP worker, was allegedly killed in a clash with TMC supporters in Purulia.

Trouble started over submission of caste certificates on Monday, locals alleged.

Purulia superintendent Akash Magharia did not take calls.

Shantiram Mahato, TMC district president, said, “None of our party members is involved. It is the handiwork of the BJP.”

In Saturi (Purulia), an assistant sub inspector was injured when he was hit by a brick.

In a cabinet meeting Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee asked her ministers to ensure there is no trouble over the formation of panchayat boards.