2 killed, 4 injured in clashes at West Bengal's Bhatpara

Two persons were killed and three others were seriously injured in clashes between two groups in the Bhatpara area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Thursday, the police said. One of the deceased has been identified as Rambabu Shaw, who according to BJP MP Arjun Singh, was a minor.

According to reports, bombs were hurled and several rounds of bullets fired in the air by the members of the two groups of miscreants near a newly constructed police station, which was scheduled for inauguration on Thursday. The incident took place just hours before the Bengal police chief was to inaugurate the new building. As crude bombs were thrown and gunshots were fired, the police used tear gas shells and, some reports claim, also opened fire.

A team of police officers along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel has been deployed in the area, with shops, market places and business establishments seen downing shutters following the unrest.

Bhatpara was in the centre of storm since May 19, when bypoll was held in the Assembly constituency.

(With inputs from PTI)