Cooch Behar, July 26 -- Political tension escalated in Cooch Behar on Sunday following alleged attacks on a DYFI programme and a separate clash at the ABN Shil College hostel. While the CPI(M)-backed youth organisation accused BJP supporters of orchestrating the violence, the BJP denied the allegations. Police have launched investigations into both incidents.

According to DYFI, a meeting marking the foundation day of its mouthpiece newspaper was organised at Panchanan Bhavan in Cooch Behar town. As party leaders and supporters from different parts of the district were travelling to the venue, several vehicles from Dinhata were allegedly vandalised near Ghughumari. One of the vehicles reportedly carried DYFI district secretary and state committee member Shuvralok Das, who was later escorted to the venue through an alternative route.

DYFI further alleged that a group of miscreants entered the meeting venue and attempted to disrupt the programme, triggering tension. A motorcycle and the glass facade of a nearby petrol pump were reportedly damaged during the incident. A large police contingent reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

DYFI leader Sainik Sur alleged that "BJP-backed miscreants attacked the meeting despite prior administrative permission. Seven to eight vehicles carrying our supporters were vandalised."

Rejecting the allegations, Cooch Behar district BJP vice-president Deepa Chakraborty said the BJP believes in democratic politics and challenged DYFI to produce evidence before the administration and the media.

Meanwhile, tension also prevailed at the ABN Shil College hostel following a clash between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members and resident students on Saturday night. According to the ABVP, its members had gone to the hostel for an organisational membership drive when they were allegedly attacked. The organisation further claimed that injured member Angad Adhikari was assaulted again while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Resident students, however, alleged that several hostel inmates were injured in a subsequent attack later that night. Police have begun an investigation into the incident, and security has been tightened to prevent any further escalation.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.