Several police personnel were injured and at least four arrests were made as local unrest exploded into a violent clash in South 24 Parganas. The trigger? A dispute over a shop setup.
What started as a localized disagreement turned into chaos by Wednesday afternoon, leaving parts of Maheshtala looking like a war zone. Police vehicles were set on fire, officers hurt, and tensions running high in the southern outskirts of Kolkata.
A Spark Turns Into a Blaze
It was just another hot, humid day in West Bengal. Nothing unusual—until violence broke out near Rabindra Nagar in ward number 7 under Maheshtala Municipality. According to locals, the scuffle began when two community groups clashed over permission to set up a small shop in the neighborhood.
That argument didn’t stay small for long.
Soon, stone-pelting began. Police were called in, but they weren’t greeted kindly. Instead, several officers were injured in the melee as the crowd turned on them.
Police Under Attack, Tear Gas and Lathis Out
Officers initially tried to calm the situation with standard crowd-control tactics. But it wasn’t enough. As the mob swelled and grew more violent, police had to resort to lathicharge and tear gas.
One eyewitness, a 42-year-old local resident who declined to be named, described the scene: “It was madness. Fire, stones, chaos everywhere. The police came, but even they were getting beaten.”
In the middle of the chaos:
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Five civilians were injured, police confirmed.
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Four people were taken into custody for allegedly inciting violence.
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Multiple police vans were vandalised or completely torched.
Many shops closed early, and residents locked themselves indoors fearing further violence.
Political Accusations Begin to Fly
No major unrest in Bengal escapes the political crossfire. This was no different.
The BJP wasted no time. Party leaders slammed the state administration for its “total breakdown of law and order” and demanded immediate deployment of central forces in the affected zones.
TMC, on the other hand, dismissed the call. Senior leaders accused the BJP of turning a hyper-local issue into a state-wide drama.
TMC MLA from Metiabruz, Mumtaz Begum, said in a statement: “This was a personal dispute escalated by troublemakers. But BJP wants to milk it politically. We won’t allow that.”
A Worrying Pattern?
Violent clashes over local issues aren’t new in Bengal. But what’s worrying is how fast they escalate.
Recent years have seen several such flare-ups across urban and semi-urban fringes of Kolkata. Many begin with minor provocations but get amplified—sometimes fueled by political rivalries, sometimes by social divisions, often both.
Here’s a quick glance at similar incidents from the last 24 months:
| Location | Year | Trigger | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhatpara | 2023 | Clash between student groups | 12 injured, heavy police deployment |
| Howrah’s Shibpur | 2024 | Mosque loudspeaker issue | 3 arrested, 1 police van torched |
| Maheshtala (Current) | 2025 | Dispute over setting up a local shop | 5 injured, 4 arrested |
It’s a disturbing trend that shows no signs of slowing.
Residents Caught in the Middle
For people living in Rabindra Nagar, the aftermath was clear: scorched pavements, smashed windows, burnt vehicles, and fear.
One small grocery shop owner said, “We’ve seen fights before. But this… this was like something out of a movie. I couldn’t even open my shutters today.”
Another resident pointed out that this isn’t just a law and order issue anymore. “We feel abandoned. One moment it’s about politics, the next it’s about caste or business rivalry. And we’re stuck in the middle every time.”
Administration Scrambles to Regain Control
By Wednesday night, a stronger police presence had been established in the area. Extra teams were sent in from neighboring jurisdictions, and drones were reportedly used to monitor movement.
Officials from South 24 Parganas District Administration said the situation was under control by 10 PM. But local anger hasn’t cooled down completely.
A brief statement from the West Bengal Police read: “We urge people not to believe rumors. Additional forces are patrolling Maheshtala and surrounding areas to ensure safety.”
But locals aren’t entirely convinced. Many schools in the vicinity have suspended in-person classes for the next two days, and businesses are waiting for things to stabilize before reopening.
