A minor accident in Indira Colony on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri town late on Friday night snowballed into violence as two groups of Trinamul supporters clashed all through the night.

At least four persons, including the chief of a local panchayat and a police officer, have been injured.

The administration had to imposed prohibitory orders in the area. Police have also filed a suo motu case against 12 persons for perpetrating violence.

An embarrassed district Trinamul leadership asked local leaders to restore normality in the area, insiders said.

Trouble begun at 10pm on Friday, when Trinamul worker Uttam Das had parked his bike at BDO office More in Indira Colony and was chatting with friends when an e-rickshaw rammed into his vehicle. Allegedly, one of Uttam’s friends slapped the driver. Uttam is an aide of Krishna Das, a leader of Trinamul SC & ST cell in the district. Rustam Khan, an acquaintance of the e-rickshaw driver and a Trinamul worker, reached the spot with others. Khan allegedly beat up Uttam.. Uttam told Krishna. As news spread, Krishna and others from Trinamul joined the fight.

Pradhan Hembram, another follower of Krishna and the pradhan of neighbouring Patkata panchayat, reached Indira Colony with his supporters.

Residents alleged that Hembram and his associates had sharp weapons, sticks and firearms, and they attacked local youth Abdul Mannan, alleging that he had beaten up Uttam, and also Abdul's father. Others then clashed with Hembram, who was beaten up.

Police controlled the situation.

Hembram and two others were hospitalised.

Krishna then got into a fight with the policemen on duty and suddenly, Mukul Ishore, an assistant sub-inspector of police, was attacked by some unidentified people in the dark.

Ishore sustained serious injuries on his face and is hospitalised.

Senior police officers had to bring the situation under control.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in Indira Colony and in adjoining areas like Gosala More, Patakata Colony and Kaliyaganj.

“A few hours before the incident, around 200 of us had been to a party meeting convened by Krishna Das. It is disappointing that his followers assaulted our neighbours. For decades, we have been with Trinamul and yet, the incident happened. We want the district leaders to look into the issue,” said Amina Khatun, a Trinamul supporter of Indira Colony.

Krishna was brief in his reaction.

“A minor accident had led to the incident. There was a misunderstanding among two groups of Trinamul supporters. We have resolved it through talks,” he said.

Debarshi Dutta, the district police chief, said the situation was under control in the area.

“We have posted out men who are keeping a watch over the situation. Also, a suo motu case has been filed at Kotwali police station against 12 persons for perpetrating violence,” he said.

“It is disappointing that our workers clashed over a trivial issue. District leaders should look into it and take steps against all those involved in it. Such incidents affect the party’s image,” said a senior party leader.