10 hurt in Kolkata student unions clash, traffic hit

KOLKATA - Traffic in southern parts of Kolkata came to a halt Thursday evening after student unions of the ruling Marxist’s and the Trinamool Congress clashed outside Asutosh College, leaving 10 students injured.

The area around Asutosh College saw violence after supporters of Trinamool Congress Chatra Parishad (TMCP), a students’ arm of Trinamool, and the Students Federation of India, the students’ wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), clashed.

At least 10 students were injured in the clashes. The condition of SFI supporter Souvik Hazra was very critical and he was rushed to SSKM hospital. Police have been deployed in plenty, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (south division) Supratim Sarkar.

Following the clash, both the rival groups blocked roads at different places and held rallies.

For the last 35 years the CPI-M has not allowed any proper election in colleges and universities. Today also they have created these problems in Asutosh College. I have heard that they were planning to gherao (surround) my house. I am challenging them if they want to gherao my house they can. People of Bengal will not forgive them, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee told mediapersons.

The CPI-M, on the other hand, blamed the TMCP for the clashes and denied the allegation that the SFI was to surround Mamata Bannerjee’s house.

They (TMCP) brought criminals from outside to create problems in college. They beat up supporters of the SFI. They want to disrupt the atmosphere of the college, senior CPI-M leader and former MP Samik Lahiri told IANS.

“We will receive all complaints related to the matter from both rival groups and on the basis of the complaints, action would be taken,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (headquarters) Jawed Shamim.

Later, SFI supporters assembled in front of the Bhownipore police station and staged a demonstration, protesting against alleged police inaction against TMCP supporters.