Supporters of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) and the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) clashed at Balurghat College in South Dinajpur on Friday following an altercation during a programme taken up by AIDSO over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta.

Sources said, AIDSO launched a campaign to seek the opinion of the students of the college. While it was in progress, some TMCP supporters reached there and protested. An altercation ensued which soon culminated in a clash.

“A couple of days back, we had held a protest on the RG Kar issue but TMCP leaders and supporters stopped us. Today again, they attacked us without any provocation while we were gathering opinions of the students in connection with the incident,” said Tarit Basak, the convener of AIDSO in South Dinajpur district.

“They beat us mercilessly and also tore our clothes. We have filed a complaint with the police and want the attackers to be arrested,” he added.

The TMCP leaders, on the other hand, denied the charge and instead blamed the AIDSO supporters.

“They are free to protest over the (RG Kar) issue. But today, in the name of protest, they were handing over slips to every student seeking their opinion. Also, some of them were asking for money from the students. When we went there and objected, they attacked us,” said Debajit Dey, general secretary of the TMCP unit of Balurghat College.

They too, have filed a police complaint. Balurghat police went to the spot and controlled the situation. “We received complaints from both sides,” said a police officer.