Violence breaks out at Gurap over Jai Sriram slogan

Gurap (Hooghly)/Kolkata, Jun.27 (HS); Massive violence broke out at Gurap in Hooghly district after a BJP worker was severely injured in police firing following repeated clashes between the supporters of ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP over the chanting of Jai Sriram slogans.

Reports reaching the state police Headquarters said here this evening that after some BJP supporters chanted ‘Jai Sriram’ near a TMC rally at Asapara area in Gurap, situated about 60 km from Kolkata in  the South Bengal district of Hooghly, clashes broke out between the supporters of two rival parties.

However, none was injured in the clash as it came to an ed after some time following the intervention of some local leaders.

But after a gap of a few hours the clash ensued once again over the same issue forcing a large contingent of police force to reach the spot.

But when they failed to disperse the warring crowd with lathis, a few rounds were reportedly fired by the police in which one BJP  supporter was injured and had to be admitted to local hospital in a serious condition.

This further infuriated the opposition workers who as a mark of protest set up road blocks and prevented movement of traffic on the National Highway.

Besides setting fire to some goods on the roads the demonstrators damaged a police vehicle with brickbats  and attacked the security forces with sticks and iron rods forcing them to retreat.

In the following melee another BJP worker was injured.This added fuel to fire as hundreds of party supporters came out on to the streets once again and forced the shop keepers in the area to down their shutters as vehicles were also stopped from plying.

Soon the entire area turned deserted as people fled and remained indoors.

As simmering tension continued to prevail in the entire Gurap area, strong contingents of police were posted at several points to prevent recurrence of violence and loss of any life like what happened at Bhatpara a few days ago.