Tension in Berhampore as Congress workers block roads after clash during Adhir Ranjan’s campaign

Tensions escalated sharply in Berhampore on Saturday morning ahead of the Assembly elections, as Congress workers blocked key roads in protest against an alleged attack and obstruction during the campaign of senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The unrest disrupted normal life across parts of the district, with traffic coming to a standstill for hours.

The situation first turned volatile in Ward No. 19 of Berhampore Municipality when Chowdhury arrived for campaigning. It is alleged that a group of All India Trinamool Congress workers, led by a local councillor, blocked his route. The confrontation quickly escalated into a heated argument, followed by pushing and physical scuffles, prompting heavy police deployment to prevent further escalation.

As news of the incident spread, Congress supporters took to the streets in protest. In the Panchgram area of Nabagram, demonstrators blocked the main road by burning tyres and forming human chains, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt. Long queues of stranded vehicles were reported, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.

Police from Nabagram police station rushed to the spot and engaged in prolonged negotiations with the protesters. After nearly an hour of disruption and assurances from the authorities, the blockade was lifted and traffic movement gradually resumed, though the incident has added to the growing political tension in the region ahead of the polls.