12 INJURED IN COPS-BJP MEN CLASH

JALPAIGURI: The police and BJP workers fought a pitched battle in a forested area of Jalpaiguri district on Friday, injuring 12 policemen, including an additional SP.

The additional SP was seriously injured after a stone hit him in the eye, Jalpaiguri SP Amitabha Maiti said.

The incident took place near Dhupjhora when the BJP activists were going to a public meeting of senior party leaders in neighbouring Cooch Behar district.

The bus carrying BJP workers was stopped by the police and the activists got down from the bus and started hurling stones towards the policemen, Maiti said.

The policemen were outnumbered by the BJP workers and 12 police personnel, including additional SP Thendup Sherpa, were injured.