Clashes after Trinamool leader shot dead by CPI-M workers

KOLKATA - A local leader of the Trinamool Congress was shot dead by alleged Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) activists in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, sparking a clash in which five people, including a woman, were injured, police said.

The incident took place at Chandipur village of Nanoor block of the district, when local Trinamool leader Illiyas Sheikh alias Ballav Sheikh was shot dead by CPI-M activists while he was going to a nearby paddy field, police said.

Following the killing, Trinamool activists attacked the CPI-M cadres and a clash broke out between the two groups.

At least five people, including a woman and two CPI-M cadres, were injured. They were taken to Bolpur sub-divisional hospital, police said.

Birbhum’s Superintendent of Police Humayan Kabir said: “A Trinamool activist was killed following a sudden attack by a group of armed men.”

“We have started a probe after a complaint was been lodged with Nanoor police. A large number of police personnel have been deployed at Chandipur village to avoid further untoward incident. No arrest has been made in this connection so far,” he said