WB: Death count in Dinhata clashes climbs to 6

Dinhata, Feb 6: The total death toll in the Dinhata clashes between the police and Forward Bloc (FB) activists, today rose to six, with the death of a Home Guard here early this morning.

He was being taken to Siliguri Medical College from Cooch Behar's Dinhata Sub Division, where a total of five FB activists succumbed to bullet wounds inflicted upon by Dinhata police personnel, who tried to bar them from entering the Sub-Divisional Office yesterday afternoon. The deceased was among the three policemen, whose condition had been reported to be critical, following the incident. He was initially admitted to Cooch Behar hospital.

Dinhata SDO Debabrata Chakraborty has filed an FIR against 40 activists, including seven district level party leaders for ransacking and vandalising property on the SDO campus. Among those named in the FIR included District Secretary Udayan Guha.

SP Anil Kumar said the situation was under control in Cooch Behar and Dinhata sub-division, where prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC had been clamped by the district Magistrate.

The SP also said the ''Bangla Bandh'' here was total with no vehicles plying the roads. Forward Bloc activists blocked railway tracks, disrupting all trains here at Dinhata station. The FB party supporters have also indulged in picketing and damaging more vehicles in various parts of the subdivision. Rallyists also took to the streets with black flags shouting slogans against the police firing here, the SP informed.

A FB and AITC team were reportedly on their way to Cooch Behar from Kolkata.

The condition of three among those admitted to Cooch Behar distrct hospital has been stated to be critical by the hospital authorities.

Last night's reports had confirmed the death of five FB activists due to gun shot wounds.

Today's bandh is being supported by the Opposition Trinamool Congress, Congress, SUCI, CPI (ML) Liberation and the Samajwadi Party.

UNI