Kolkata, Apr 14 (UNI) Fresh violence erupted on Monday over the Waqf Amendment Act as the Indian Secular Front (ISF) protesters blocked the Basanti Highway, torched five police bikes and vandalised a prison van at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas, official sources said.
When the police tried to clear the blockade, the agitators outnumbered the personnel and attacked them in which some 7/8 policemen received injuries from stone pelting.
The Basanti highway was blocked for four hours since 10 am by the ISF supporters.
The protesters then torched five police motorcycles and overturned a prison van in a bid to set it on fire. However, baton-wielding police foiled the attempt of the protesters after they punctured the oil tank of the van.
The trouble first happened at Sonpur village area and then spilled over to its adjacent areas of Bhangar, which is under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police for last two years.The attacks happened days after the violence in Murshidabad led to the death of three people.
Sporadic violence was reported first from Sonpur village and then spilled over to Bhojerhat, Bairampur, and then to Ghatakpukur.
Initially police were outnumbered but reinforcement took control of the situation, which was stated to be tense after some arrests were made against the rioters.
The ISF also held a street meeting at Moula Ali in Sealdah area where Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique addressed the rally to oppose Waqf Act.
UNI PC SJC