The Shanimandir area of Mathabhanga town in Cooch Behar district turned into a battlefield on Friday afternoon as BJP and Trinamul supporters clashed.

Both the sides lobbed crude bombs and attacked each other with sticks, iron rods and bricks.

Police rushed to the spot and had to burst teargas shells to disperse the mob.

Supporters of both the parties have suffered injuries.

The police have detained some of them for perpetrating violence, sources said.

Since Friday morning, there had been tension in some areas of Mathabhanga as BJP supporters marched from adjoining villages and different wards of the town to subdivisional officer’s office as part of the party’s state-wide protest programmes against the Mamata Banerjee government.

At Chalnarpaar near Mathabhanga, a group of BJP supporters allegedly attacked some local Trinamul workers.

A youth Trinamul leader and five others were injured in the attack and admitted to the subdivisional hospital of Mathabhanga. Soon, Trinamul supporters started gathering in the Shanimandir area.

The BJP supporters converged on a spot and then headed for the SDO’s office. While they were returning from the SDO’s office, an altercation ensued with the Trinamul supporters and soon, it culminated in a clash.

Traders downed their shutters and common people s had to run away for their safety.

“The BJP supporters were carrying sharp weapons and crude bombs. While they were returning from the SDO’s office, they attacked and assaulted some people. Five persons have been injured in the attack. Earlier, some of our supporters were attacked by the BJP at another location without any provocation,” said Ajijar Rehman, a Trinamul leader of Mathabhanga.

The BJP has denied the charges. “While our supporters were entering Mathabhanga town to attend the demonstration announced by our party, Trinamul activists attacked them. We could, however, resist their attack. After we finished our programme at the SDO’s office, we were attacked again by Trinamul supporters. At least five of our party workers are injured,” said Pranab Pal, a vice-president of the BJP in Cooch Behar district.

The police said they were in search of some people who had perpetrated the violence. “Our men have been posted in the area. We are also patrolling the town and adjoining areas to prevent any further breach of peace,” said a police officer.