BJP activists clash with police during rally at Durgapur

Clashes broke out between BJP activists and police officials on Thursday over a proposed rally here which was allegedly being organised without proper permission. 

The clash took place this morning after BJP leaders tried to hold the rally at a ground near the industrial town without any proper permission, the police said. When police along with the civic police tried to stop the BJP activists, clashes broke out between the two sides. 

Television footages showed BJP activists attacking civic police personnel with bamboo sticks and the police resorting to lathi charge to disperse the crowd. 

The BJP leadership, however, claimed the police had denied them permission at the last moment and later organised a rally on a makeshift dais on a vehicle. 

"Because it was a BJP rally, we were denied permission at the last moment. Had it been a TMC rally, the police would have immediately given the permission. 

"The TMC government is using police as a political tool to stifle the voice of the opposition," BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said. Mayor of Asansol and senior TMC leader Jitendranath Tiwari criticised BJP for not following rules and questioned BJP for "forcibly" holding a rally without any proper permission. 

"How can any party hold a rally without permission from the police. It is for the police to decide who will get permission. Had there been a law and order problem who would have taken the responsibility?" he said.

(With inputs from agencies.)