Author: TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 24, 2007
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//Cities/Kolkata/Immersion_clash_leaves_one_dead/articleshow/2484671.cms
Tension prevailed in Murarai, Birbhum, following a clash involving people carrying a Durga idol for immersion at Rudranagar village on Monday. One person was killed and six others injured, one of them critically.
On Monday night, when puja organisers of Bakultala Para were preparing for immersion of the idol, a gang of criminals attacked them with lathis and sharp weapons and damaged the idol.
A large posse of policemen, including Rapid Action Force, was rushed to the spot to prevent the clash from taking a communal turn. "The situation is under control now," said Birbhum SP Satyasankar Panda on Tuesday. A police picket has been posted in the area and complaints lodged against 15 persons.
"A gang of criminals raided the puja pandal when the idol was being taken out for immersion," Panda said. "It was the fallout of an old dispute between the two groups over guarding of a paddy field. The idol was damaged after it fell to the ground. Bhabesh Bhuimali (52), who sustained head injuries, died on the way to hospital. Three persons, including main culprit Tanik Sheikh, have been arrested. The idol will be immersed on Tuesday morning," he added.
The district administration will hold a peace meeting in the area between the people of the two communities, Rampurhat subdivisional officer P K Mandal said.