Shots fired, bombs hurled as BJP-TMC clash in Bhatpara ahead of Modi's rally; CISF jawan injured

The Jagatdal area of North 24 Parganas turned into a battleground on Sunday night following violent clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters. The tension, initially sparked by a dispute over campaign posters and flags ahead of a proposed rally by the Prime Minister, rapidly escalated into a full-scale confrontation involving stone-pelting, bombing, and gunfire.

The situation reached a critical point when the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Kumar Singh, contesting from the Bhatpara assembly constituency, was targeted. Allegedly, miscreants hurled crude bombs at his house, causing panic in the neighborhood and leaving at least three people injured. Pawan Kumar Singh blamed local TMC leaders for the obstruction of campaign activities, claiming that the attack was a premeditated attempt to intimidate his supporters following a recent BJP party meeting.

In the ensuing chaos, a CISF jawan deployed for security was shot and injured, marking a dangerous escalation in poll-related violence. Former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh also reportedly sustained injuries during the scuffles. With the state administration struggling to contain the volatile situation, authorities have deployed additional security to manage the law-and-order crisis. As the electorate prepares to vote on April 29, the incident has cast a shadow of fear over the region, highlighting the critical security challenges facing the state.