A Trinamul Congress worker was murdered in Cooch Behar on Sunday night during an altercation between two groups during the immersion procession of Jagaddhatri Puja. Police have arrested six persons, including a BJP leader.

Dyutiman Bhattacharya, the district police chief, said the clash had occurred at Mechkoka under Boxirhat police station of the district.

“A section of people who were there in the procession were drunk and clashed with each other. Police immediately intervened and could disperse them. Five persons from each side were hospitalized. Later, Anup Dakua, a 45-year-old man, succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

Avijit De Bhowmik, the Cooch Behar district Trinamul chief, alleged that Pabitra Barman, a booth panel chief of BJP, led the attack.

“The BJP leader, along with his associates, attacked Anup Dakua, who is our party worker, and hacked him with sharp weapons without any provocation,” he said.

On Monday, as the news spread, a section of irate Trinamul workers raised a road blockade in the area which halted traffic movement along Langolgram More, a crossing on Boxirhat-Barokodali Road in protest. The blockade, however, was withdrawn after police officers and senior party leaders intervened.

Due to the incident, the village wore a deserted look today. Shops and marketplaces were closed and most of the people stayed indoors, fearing fresh clashes between Trinamul and the BJP.

Malati Rava Roy, the local BJP MLA, said: “It is an unfortunate incident. Trinamul is unnecessarily trying to politicize the issue.”

The police have registered a murder case and arrested six persons. Policemen have been posted in the area and senior officials are conducting route marches.