A damaged police vehicle and (above) SFI supporters demonstrate on the college premises after the clash. (Kundan Yolmo)

Siliguri, Aug. 3: Two police vehicles were damaged in a clash between SFI and Chhattra Parishad supporters at Siliguri College of Commerce this evening, prompting both the student outfits to call a strike in educational institutions across the subdivision tomorrow.

The college authorities have announced indefinite closure of the institution till normality is restored.

Around 5.45pm, about 20 SFI supporters were attacked allegedly by a mob of over 100 CP activists while coming out of the college after submitting a memorandum to principal Asim Mukherjee protesting a clash that occurred yesterday.

“The CP workers attacked our supporters with rods and batons. Twelve of our supporters were injured and five of them have been hospitalised. We have lodged an FIR against them but neither the police nor the college authorities took any action. In protest, we have called an education strike in the Siliguri subdivision tomorrow and demanded the removal of the inspector in-charge of Siliguri police station,” said Saurav Das, the SFI district secretary.

After a scuffle between the two rivals yesterday, a police picket had been posted at the spot. But the men in khaki could not control the clash that continued for about 20 minutes this afternoon.

Both sides threw stones and attacked each other before senior police officers brought the situation under control with reinforcements around 6pm. The police wielded batons to disperse the mob.

The CP has, however, alleged that the SFI supporters attacked its members. “Around 10 of our members were assaulted by a group of 35 SFI supporters. The SFI has been creating chaos in the college for the past few days. We had lodged an FIR but no action has been taken. In protest, we have called a strike in education institutions in the Siliguri civic area tomorrow,” said Abhijit Roy Chowdhury, the Siliguri Town president of the CP. He also alleged that three district leaders of his party were attacked by the SFI members in Collegepara around 8.45pm.

At 7pm, the SFI blocked Hashmi Chowk, demanding the arrest of CP supporters. The one-and-a-half-hour long agitation created severe traffic congestion on Hill Cart Road.

Principal Mukherjee said adequate police force was not present at the college to avert the incident. “Today’s incident could have been averted if substantial police force was posted. Under the circumstances, we have no option but to close the college until normality returns.”

Deputy superintendent of police of Siliguri Sitaram Sinha said two police vehicles had been damaged in the clash. “The situation is under control and a picket has been posted on the college premises.”