Kolkata: Rival groups clash, many injured

According to reports, people of two nearby localities engaged in a clash with each other on railway tracks at Maniktala.

They reportedly threw stones, glass bottles, bombs and acid-containing bottles aiming at each other.

Stones were allegedly pelted aiming at local trains, passing through the area that time.

Few shops, houses and apartments were reportedly vandalized during the tussle.

Several people and policemen were injured, after being hit by stones, during the clash, reports said.

Later , a heavy police force, along with Rapid Action Force (RAF), went to the spot and police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

At least 28 persons, including 22 men and 6 women, have been arrested so far for their alleged role in the clash, a senior official said.

"We have brought the situation under control and RAF has been deployed at the scene," Kolkata Police's DC-ESD Debasmita Das told IBNS.

"No political involvement in the incident has been found so far," Das further said.

While locals alleged that the clash was occurred between two rival groups of ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), party leaders claimed that it was a clash between two localities over an apolitical issue.

"Our party was not involved in the matter and the clash between two local groups was an outcome of a local problem," TMC leader and cabinet minister Sadhan Pandey told IBNS.

However, police's search operation is still on at the area to catch the remaining persons, involved in the clash.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)