Violence was reported in Panchla Bazaar area in Howrah district of West Bengal on Saturday as protesters clashed with the police and several houses were set on fire, a senior officer said. The protesters pelted stones on policemen, injuring some of them, and also vandalised a BJP party office in the area.

Several fire tenders were pressed into service as police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, the officer said, adding the situation was "under control" at the moment.