Midnapore: An argument over politics at a tea shop in Midnapore Sadar’s Hatihalka area escalated into a clash between two groups on Friday, leaving a 32-year-old man dead and several others injured.Samsher Khan was at the tea shop when he got into an argument with another person. The altercation escalated, with the two groups allegedly pelting stones and attacking each other with sticks, rods and sharp-edged weapons.Police said Khan was struck on the head with an axe. He was taken to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.Several others were injured in the clash, with two of them shifted to Kolkata on Saturday for advanced treatment.Police have detained eight people in connection with the violence. SP Papiya Sultana said raids were underway to detain more people.There were conflicting claims over whether Khan was a BJP worker. Some local BJP activists identified him as a party member, but BJP organisational district president Saumen Tiwari denied the claim.Tiwari alleged that rival political camps were trying to “take over” the area, resulting in the clash. He said he was confident police would identify those responsible for instigating the violence.BJP district vice-president Ajay Jana called for a thorough probe.
