The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a constituent of the Sangh Parivar, tried to foment tension in Siliguri on Wednesday as its supporters shouted provocative slogans and allegedly attacked the police during a rally in protest of a minor girl murdered for "trying to resist a youth's sexual assault".

The VHP has also called a 12-hour strike here on Thursday. The police and the administration, sources said, are making arrangements to prevent any breach of law and order during the bandh.

On Monday afternoon, a 16-year-old girl was bludgeoned to death with a brick in a locality in Darjeeling district. Police found her body in the evening and nabbed the 22-year-old accused soon. The brick was also found. Produced in court on Tuesday, the youth was sent in police custody.

Ever since the incident was reported, the BJP, the Bajrang Dal and the VHP resorted to protests.

On Wednesday, around 300 VHP supporters with banners, posters and flags took out a protest march in Siliguri towards the Mahananda bridge, shouting slogans.

At Mahatma Gandhi Chowk, near the bridge, the police asked the rally to move towards Lalmohan Moulik Ghat and finish it. But the marchers wanted to move towards Sevoke More and Hashmi Chowk, which made the police stop them, raising tempers. Stones were pelted at the police, prompting the latter to chase protesters with batons. Sixteen VHP supporters were arrested and released on bail.

“We will observe a 12-hour general strike in Siliguri on Thursday against the brutal murder,” said Rakesh Agarwal, a VHP leader of north Bengal.

Vedabrata Dutta, Trinamul spokesperson in Darjeeling (plains), said their party and the state government did not back strikes.

Dutta said Papia Ghosh, Trinamul district chief, met the girl’s kin on Wednesday.

“We are with them. We also appreciate the police for arresting the accused within hours. But on Wednesday, those in the VHP rally shouted provocative slogans that could've created tension. This is unacceptable,” said Dutta.

Anit Thapa, chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, met Akhilesh Chaturvedi, the commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday for "a speedy probe" and urged people not to politicise the issue.

On Wednesday evening, hundreds from the minority community held a candlelight rally with placards in Siliguri, seeking exemplary punishment for the accused.