Forty people have been arrested in connection with a violent clash between two groups in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, which left several police personnel injured and prompted the administration to impose prohibitory orders, an officer said on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred in Maheshtala under the Rabindranagar police station area, stemmed from a dispute over the construction of a shop and alleged encroachment on government land. The unrest quickly spiralled, resulting in vandalism, along with multiple vehicles being torched. Additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

A vehicle set on fire following the violence on Wednesday. Pic/ANI