Cooch Behar town and Krishnagar in Nadia on Thursday saw tense moments as Left rallies broke police barricades to protest against a host of issues, ranging from recruitment scams to law and order in Bengal.

In Cooch Behar, hundreds of party supporters walked in the march towards the Zilla Parishad building.

Adequate police arrangements, including two barricades, had been made to prevent protesters from advancing. But as the rally reached the Zilla Parishad building, Left supporters broke the first barricade. They also allegedly jostled with the police, who stopped them. The scuffle between Left supporters and cops continued for some time, after which a section of protesters squatted on the spot to protest.

“There are several charges of corruption against the Trinamul-run Zilla Parishad here. Government funds have been misappropriated without carrying out necessary works. Villagers, who are genuine beneficiaries, are being deprived,” said Ananta Roy, the Cooch Behar district secretary of the CPM.

In Nadia district’s Krishnagar town, the CPM and DYFI supporters fought with police to break barricades during a protest rally and a law-violation programme organised in the afternoon.

At least six DYFI supporters got injured in the incident that was held on various issues and demands, which include the arrest of culprits involved in recruitment scams, cancellation of dubious job panels and payments to job card holders of the 100 days’ jon scheme.

The trouble began when DYFI and SFI supporters, led by DYFI’s state secretary Minakshi Mukherjee, tried to march towards the Zilla Parishad building.

They got into a scuffle with the police personnel as the latter intercepted them. Six supporters got injured and were taken away for treatment. The police detained eight activists in connection with the incident, said sources.