Four arrested after TMC–BJP clash leaves several injured, including police personnel

Four persons were arrested on Saturday evening following a clash between activists of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Girish Park area of north Kolkata, about half an hour before Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground.

According to police, the clash erupted when BJP supporters were heading towards the rally venue and allegedly got into an altercation with TMC activists over the tearing of flex banners urging voters not to support the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls. The situation soon escalated into stone pelting from both sides.

The TMC alleged that BJP supporters launched an unprovoked attack on their workers and pelted stones at the residence of senior state minister Shashi Panja . The party claimed that Panja and several Trinamool activists present at the spot sustained injuries during the violence.

However, the BJP rejected the allegations and instead accused TMC workers of orchestrating the attack on their supporters who were on their way to attend the Prime Minister’s rally.

Without attributing blame to either side, a senior police officer said that eight people, including a police personnel, were injured in the clash.

“Four people have been arrested so far, and raids are underway to identify and apprehend others involved in the violence,” the officer said. Police, however, did not confirm whether the arrested persons belong to either of the two political parties.

Police have registered a suo motu case at the Girish Park Police Station in connection with the incident. The case (No. 40 dated March 14, 2026) has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, officials said.

Police said no formal complaint has been lodged by any political party so far and that the investigation into the incident is continuing.Meanwhile, Panja said she would lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against those who allegedly vandalised her official residence. She alleged that the attack was part of a planned conspiracy aimed at killing her and intimidating TMC supporters.