Cong leader arrested, party calls bandh tomorrow

Howrah, Mar 13 (UNI) Local Congress leader and gram panchayat head Shaikh Hafijulla was today arrested in connection with violence that left about 20 people injured in the district's Millbazar area under Panchla police station on Sunday.

To protest the arrest, the Congress called a 12-hour strike at Millbazar from 0600 hours tomorrow, while the Opposition Trinamool Congress has decided to observe a protest day against the administration's alleged failure to tackle the situation.

Altogether eight people had been arrested for creating violence following a dispute over gold transaction at a jewellery shop on Mach 9. At least 20 people were injured in the violent clashes and about 50 houses/shops had been vandalised.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Eastern Frontier Rifles, deployed after the violence, were still camping in the area, official sources said.

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