Supporters of Trinamul candidates and those of party rebels in the rural poll fray as Independents clashed in Malda and Cooch Behar on Wednesday night.

In Nagharia under Fulbaria panchayat of Malda's Englishbazar police station, groups led by Trinamul leader Zahidul Sheikh and dissident Lucky Ali attacked each other.

“There are 12 seats in the panchayat. Most Trinamul candidates are from Sheikh’s lobby. An angry Ali fielded his aides as Independents. Now, both are desperate to retain control,” said a resident.

On Wednesday, squabbles turned violent.

Eight houses were ransacked, bombs were hurled and bullets were fired, sources said. “Two houses and some properties were torched. Even women were thrashed,” said a source.

Police led by Prashanta Debnath, the DSP (headquarters) controlled the situation. Three persons were arrested.

On Thursday, central forces patrolled the area.

"There was a scuffle between two groups over an old issue. The party has nothing to do with it,” said Subhamay Bose, a district Trinamul vice-president.

In Cooch Behar's Gitaldaha, Abdul Jalil, a Trinamul rebel now contesting as an Independent, claimed local Trinamul leaders Mafujad Rehman and Dolly Khatun and some others entered his house on Wednesday night, held women at gunpoint and warned him not to campaign.

Rehman claimed Jajil ransacked his home to get sympathy from people.