At least eight people were injured and several cars damaged when a clash broke out between a section of Group D workers and contractual employees of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital on Eden Hospital Road in central Kolkata on Sunday afternoon.
A Rapid Action Force team was deployed to control the situation. Later in the evening, a police picket was posted in the area.
Residents of the area and some of the injured said three bullets were fired during the clash. Police denied the allegation. Four persons have been detained for questioning.
The medical college authorities locked gate number 5, near which the clash broke out.
Residents of the quarters meant for Group D and contractual employees of the medical college said the clash broke out around 3.15pm. The trigger, they said, was the accusation by a section of contractual staff that Group D employees were denying them their regular share of duty.
“This has been a contentious issue for a long time and there were clashes earlier, too. Things took an ugly turn on Sunday afternoon,” said a resident of the staff quarters.
Eyewitnesses told the police that youths armed with bamboo sticks and rods attacked others. Soon after, the groups threw stones, broken bricks and glass bottles at each other.
Some of the youths vandalised a few cars parked on the roadside.
The authorities of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital immediately alerted Bowbazar police station and locked gate number 5.
A team from the police station reached the spot. They failed to pacify the warring groups and called for a contingent of the Rapid Action Force.
“We have found no evidence of firing as of now. At least eight people were injured. Four youths have been detained for questioning. We will soon draw up a case based on the statements of the eyewitnesses,” said a senior police officer.