Infighting within Trinamul took an ugly turn in Malda on Tuesday night after an elected panchayat representative and his aides allegedly vandalised a zonal party office and some vehicles, and beat up party workers there.

Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. The party member and two others have been arrested.

Sources said that in Laxmipur area of Englishbazar block, there are two lobbies in the party, one headed by Mainul Sheikh, a member of Englishbazar panchayat samiti.

Rocky Sheikh, a Trinamul worker assaulted on Tuesday night, said they were playing carrom at the party office.

“There were hardly 10 people at the party office then. Suddenly, Mainul, along with around 150 people, attacked the office. We could not resist the attack. In minutes, the signboard and furniture were broken into pieces. While some went on beating us, others ransacked three two-wheelers and a car,” he said

According to the workers who were beaten, Mainul’s associates took away a two-wheeler, which had Rs 1 lakh in cash kept in its sidebox.

Masud Ali, another Trinamul worker, alleged some associates of Mainul fired three rounds in the air.

“We were fortunate that police reached the spot quickly which made the attackers escape. Or else, things would have been worse,” he said.

Police officers brought the situation under control. They also started searching for attackers and in due course, Mainul and two others were arrested.

The incident has left district Trinamul leaders redfaced.

Abdur Rahim Boxi, district Trinamul chief, said: “A police probe is on. We will do an inquiry at the party level to find out who were involved in the attack.”