Siliguri, 19th January: Thirteen people from both groups were arrested following incidents of stone-pelting and clashes in the Tulsi Nagar area under Matigara police station of Siliguri Metropolitan Police. The violence reportedly broke out over a dispute related to the formation of a committee. All 13 arrested persons were produced before a Siliguri court on Monday. Police said efforts are on to identify and trace others involved in disturbing social peace.
Police have issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands or disrupt communal harmony in the area.
It may be noted that tension escalated on the previous day in the Tulsi Nagar and adjoining areas after clashes and stone-pelting between two groups, leaving several people injured. Heavy police deployment was made to bring the situation under control. Despite this, the two groups again clashed late at night, further aggravating tensions.
According to sources, information about the incident reached the Chief Minister at Nabanna in Kolkata, following which senior officials of Siliguri Metropolitan Police rushed to the spot. Late at night, senior officers conducted route marches across the locality, and extensive police picketing was put in place.
Police deployment has continued in the area on Monday as well. Under the leadership of Matigara police station IC Arindam Bhattacharya, surveillance is being carried out with the help of drones, and regular route marches are ongoing. At present, the situation in Tulsi Nagar is reported to be peaceful.
On Monday afternoon, Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad Sabhadhipati Arun Ghosh and Darjeeling district (Plains) Trinamool Congress Chairman Sanjay Tibrewal visited the area to review the situation. Both leaders appealed to residents to maintain peace and order.
Matigara-Naxalbari MLA Anandamoy Barman also visited Tulsi Nagar, inspected the area, and interacted with local residents and families of the injured. Leaders from both sides urged citizens to exercise restraint and maintain communal harmony. However, the incident has also triggered political sparring, with both parties accusing each other of politicising the violence.