Violence erupted at a village in North Dinajpur on Tuesday night while residents of two hamlets in Cooch Behar on Wednesday protested against the beneficiary list of the government's Awas scheme.

In both districts, administrative teams were conducting surveys — like in rural areas across the state — to check out the credentials of those whose names have been included as beneficiaries eligible for funds under the housing scheme. The state plans to release the first installment of the money by December.

In North Dinajpur, as a team reached Kamartor village under Karandighi police station limits on Tuesday, a former panchayat member of Trinamool allegedly tried to dupe them.

“Two employees from the Karandighi block office went to the village to verify details of beneficiaries. The list had the name of villager Ashma Bibi. As she owns a concrete house, Sheikh Mujibur, a former panchayat member of our party, took the team to the hutment of the woman’s son to prove she is eligible for the money instead of telling them that the woman was not eligible,” said Md Rezaul Rahaman, the Trinamool panchayat member.

A youth protested against Mujibur's duplicity. An altercation ensued. Later at night, Mujibur and his henchmen attacked the hut of Sheikh Sagir, the youth’s father. Sheikh Miraj, Sagir’s brother, alleged that they were attacked with bricks, rods, sticks and sharp weapons. "My brother got injured. We live in huts and yet our names aren't on the list. Instead, Mujibur tried to mislead the survey team,” said Miraj.

Sagir and three others were admitted to the Karandighi block hospital with injuries.

Four persons have been detained in this connection so far.

TMC leaders said they would not support Mujibur. “The former panchayat member should face legal consequences for his act,” said Kanailal Agarwala, the district TMC president.

In Cooch Behar, residents dwelling in two hamlets of Chilakhana-I panchayat under the Tufanganj sub-division of the district locked the local panchayat office on Wednesday, alleging that their names have not been included in the beneficiaries’ list.

“Around 2,500 people live in these two hamlets. Many are eligible for the assistance. Yet, they're excluded,” said Saida Bibi, a protester.

Around 10am, villagers reached the panchayat office and locked it. They started shouting slogans and demonstrated in front of the office, demanding the inclusion of their names.

After three hours, a team from the local block office reached the spot and spoke to the protesters, persuading them to withdraw the protest.

Buddhadeb Das, the head of Chilakhana-I panchayat, admitted that the claims of protesters were genuine. "I have spoken with the BDO on this," he said.