One killed, 13 injured in mob-police clash in Bengal

Kolkata: One person was killed as a mob demanding restoration of power supply fought a pitched battle with police in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Sunday.

Thirteen others, including nine policemen, were injured in the clashes, police said. The trouble erupted after villagers of Jhikra - agitated over lack of electricity for the past few days - put up a road block on National Highway 34 on Sunday morning.

Police tried to persuade the locals to lift the blockade, but to no avail. Then police resorted to a cane charge to disperse the mob, but was attacked with stones and bombs. The mob also damaged two police vehicles, 15 buses and a car.

"So we had to finally fire in the air to protect public property and life," said a senior police officer. One body was found some distance away from the spot under Farakka police station. Sixteen persons have been arrested. All the injured are admitted in local hospitals.

In Kolkata, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma said stern action was being initiated against all those who attacked the police and damaged public property.