Activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), founded by Muslim cleric Abbas Siddiqui, clashed with police at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas after they were stopped from holding a public meeting in the area. The outfit, formed ahead of the assembly elections in Bengal, claimed that some of its members suffered injuries during the clashes.
A senior police officer said that more than 100 ISF activists pelted stones at him and his associates on the Basanti highway in Bhangar when they tried to stop them from blocking the route for the event. He said an officer was injured in the scuffle, following which other policemen chased away the protesters.
However, ISF MLA from Bhangar Naushad Siddiqui, who was supposed to address the meeting, told reporters that the police brutally lathi-charged the members of his outfit. “Initially, we were given permission for the meeting, but the administration withdrew it a day back at the behest of the local TMC leadership. As soon as our members and supporters tried to go to the proposed site Padmapukur Maidan, they were stopped by the police. “When they protested, they were lathi-charged without any reason,” the ISF leader said.
Siddiqui further said that the ground was allotted to a local TMC leader for a football match. He resolved to raise the issue in the assembly.
According to the police officer, the permission was denied to the ISF citing the Disaster Management Act. Local TMC leader Kaiser Ahmed claimed that Siddiqui was trying to disturb peace in the area.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.