Clashes erupt near Kolkata over land row, 5 police personnel injured

A violent clash broke out in West Bengal’s Maheshtala area, near Kolkata, leaving five police personnel injured and multiple vehicles set on fire.

The violence reportedly stemmed from a land dispute involving a roadside shop and a religious platform, escalating into widespread unrest.

According to officials, tensions flared in the Rabindranagar–Akra area of South 24 Parganas when locals objected to the setting up of a "tulsi mancha" on land previously occupied by a shop owned by a minority community member.

The disagreement quickly escalated into stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism. Protesters hurled bricks and stones from rooftops and torched a motorcycle, tyres, and two government vehicles.

Among the injured were Deputy Commissioner of Police (Port) Harikrishna Pai and a woman constable. Police responded with baton charges and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Additional forces, including personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed to restore order. Prohibitory orders were enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to prevent gatherings.

As of Wednesday, at least four people have been arrested, with raids underway to detain others involved in the violence.

The incident quickly took on political overtones, with BJP leaders accusing the state government of failing to control law and order.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari demanded the deployment of central forces, alleging targeted attacks on members of the Hindu community.

"The Hindu community in Rabindranagar has been subjected to looting, arson, and violence for hours while the police watched silently. Several police vehicles were set on fire, yet there was no effective intervention," Adhikari was quoted as saying.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar claimed that homes and temples were attacked and called for immediate intervention by the Union Home Ministry.

The ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegations, with Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh asserting that the police acted promptly and that attempts to politicise the incident were unwarranted.

Police and security personnel remain deployed in the affected areas, and the investigations are ongoing.