Gangs clash during Holi, one killed

KOLKATA: One person was killed after a clash broke out in Phoolbagan during Holi revelry on Wednesday. Police said the clash essentially broke out between gangs competing for turf, adding that both groups hurled bombs and opened fire at each other.
Local people were confined to their homes as the gang members fought a pitched battle. The splinter of a bomb hit Sheikh Kallu (32) on his private parts.He later succumbed to his injury in hospital.
Police said that Azizul and Sukhia head the two groups. They often clash over their respective areas of command. Sheikh Kallu, an associate of Azizul, and his friends were reportedly chatting on Wednesday when members of the rival gang suddenly barged into the area with swords and bombs. They hurled bombs and a splinter from one of them hit Kallu on his private parts.
Kallu was immediately taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. After his death, Azizul's group attacked Sukhia's group. In that clash, Amarnath Jha of Sukhia's group was seriously injured. He was removed to R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sanjib Jha, Amarnath's brother, later lodged a complaint alleging the involvement of Azizul, Khaled, Latif, Selim and some others.
Police later conducted a series of raids and arrested Sukhia and Ganesh of one group and Azizul and Khaled of their rival group. "Both groups are engaged in smuggling goods from warehouse and godowns. They even used to rob traders," said DC (DD) Jawed Shamim.
Police said the culprits were booked under the Explosive Substances Act, rioting and criminal conspiracy. They were remanded in police custody after being produced in court on Thursday afternoon.
In a separate incident at Tollygunge, two persons were injured after a clash broke out over spraying colours. Bapi Haldar was sitting with his friends at Chandra Mohan Lane in Tollygunge. Suddenly Kapil, a local tough, came and smeared colours on Bapi. Soon, a clash erupted with Bapi's people attacking Kapil's boys.
Police have arrested a total of 732 people across the city for disorderly conduct during Holi.