BJP, TMC supporters clash injures several in Bengal's Dinhata, TMC calls for 24 hr Bandh today

Nealy a week after the Election Commission announced the schedule of Lok Sabha polls, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Tuesday. 

BJP, TMC supporters clash

According to sources, Trinamool workers and supporters clashed with the security guards of Union Minister of State for Home and BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat Nishith while he was going home from a party program in Dinhata area on Tuesday. Dinhata sub-divisional police officer Dhiman Mitra and several others were injured while trying to control the situation. Many supporters from both sides have been injured in this clash. 

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#WATCH | Cooch Behar, West Bengal: A clash erupted between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers in Dinhata yesterday. The police had to resort to lathi charge to control the situation. A sub-divisional police officer was injured in the incident. Trinamool Congress has called for a… pic.twitter.com/zolO9wVA7N

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2024

First clash after announcing the polls date

This is the first clash between supporters of the rival parties in West Bengal since the annoucement of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. 

Bandh in Dinhata

After the clashes, the Trinamool workers announced a 24-hour bandh in Dinhata. Meanwhile, additional police officers have been deployed in Dinhata to ensure the law and order situation in the area.