Four killed in Congress-CPI-M clashes in West Bengal

KOLKATA - Three Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists and a Congress worker were Monday killed in clashes between supporters of the two parties over a school management committee poll in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, police said.

“Four people died and eight were injured in the clashes that broke out over Sunday’s management committee elections at Islampur High School in Islampur,” Murshidabad Superintendent of Police B.L. Meena told IANS over phone.

Sources said the trouble started after a Congress supporter was beaten up allegedly by CPI-M activists Sunday night when the Marxists won the election.

The seriously injured victim died Monday, triggering more clashes in which three CPI-M supporters were killed. Both sides indulged in heavy firing and bombing during the clashes.

Islampur is about 180 km from the state capital Kolkata.