Jamshedpur: Around 10 persons sustained injuries after workers of the BJP and Congress clashed on Monday over alleged sexual harassment of a woman in New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) involving Congress’s Angomcha Bimol Akoijam.Functionaries of the BJP Mahila Morcha gathered outside the district headquarters of the Congress party in Bistupur seeking Akoijam’s resignation as Lok Sabha MP. Akoijam, a faculty member at JNU, has been booked in the case and dismissed from service.As they marched from G-Town Club ground to the Congress office demanding Akoijam’s resignation, Congress workers gathered outside their office and resisted their advance, leading to pushing and shoving which escalated into a clash. Workers allegedly attacked each other with sticks and pelted stones, triggering panic along the busy Chuna Shah Baba Mazar Road.Around 10 workers from both the parties were injured and taken to Tata Main Hospital and other healthcare facilities for treatment.Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer Arnav Mishra and SP (City) Lalit Meena reached the spot with a large police contingent and brought the situation under control. Security was also stepped up in the area to prevent further violence.“CCTV footage and video recordings were being examined to identify those involved in the stone-pelting. The exact cause of the clash would be investigated and appropriate action taken. No FIR has been registered yet,” Meena said.While BJP leaders accused Congress of opposing a democratic protest, Congress leaders alleged that BJP workers had instigated the violence.Congress district president Parvinder Singh said, “The violence by BJP workers shows the kind of ideology they follow. Our three party workers sustained injuries.” BJP Jamshedpur unit spokesperson Prem Jha accused Congress of lawlessness. “We will soon file a police complaint against them. At least 8 workers of our party sustained injuries,” said Jha.
