Army out in Siliguri to ease tension : Buddhadeb

Siliguri/Kolkata, Sep 28 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said Army was deployed in this North Bengal town, where people went on a rampage following an alleged remark by a Delhi FM channel about Indian Idol-3 Prashant Tamang.

Talking to reporters here in the capital, Mr Bhattacharjee said legal action would be taken against the guilty and the channel.

Expressing anxiety over the development, the Chief Minister said senior police officers were camping in the town to bring the situation under control.

''I did not want to take any risk and that's why I have sought the Army help. Stringent action will be taken against the FM channel, '' he said.

North Bengal Inspector General(IG) R J S Nalwa said trouble erupted when a procession was on its way to submit a memorandum to the Siliguri sub-divisional officer in this regard.

An ambulance got stranded due to the rally, resulting in a feud between the patient's family and the agitators.

Police rushed to the spot and fired teargas shells to control the situation. But the protestors attacked the police and damaged two vehicles, compelling them to use lathis in which 30 people sustained injuries.

The injured had been admitted to the Siliguri District Hospital, the IG said, adding a few people had been arrested so far.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC had been imposed in the town.

UNI