The police said that both groups used hand bombs and muskets to create panic among the villagers.

Local sources said that a group of about 50 armed CPM cadres rushed to Thupsara village in Nanoor early today and hurled bombs and fired from muskets. Following this, Trinamool supporters retaliated. The police reached the spot at about 9 am.

Additional Superintendent of Police Farhat Abbas, meanwhile, accepted that initially policemen failed to control the situation due to lack of manpower.

“When the first group of policemen reached the spot they were overwhelmed. Goons from both sides shot at our forces. Later, huge contingents of policemen, including the Rapid Action Force, were rushed in from other areas. It was then that the situation came under control. We have posted a huge combat force in the area. We have received complaints from both sides. After primary investigation, action will be taken,” Abbas said.

Personnel of the RAF conducted flag marches in the area along with combat forces to maintain peace.

Kesto Mondal, Trinamool district president, said: “The CPM is trying to regain lost ground in the area by using criminals from outside. They lost the Thupsara gram panchayat in 2008 panchayat election. For the last few days they have been insisting that our members join their camp. But our members refused to follow their diktat and the violence is a result of that. It is mysterious why the police arrived so late,” said Mondal.

Nanoor, a stronghold of the CPM, had witnessed the killing of 11 Trinamool supporters in 2002. Since then CPM support base in the area had eroded.

“It is a sign that the CPM is trying to recapture the area ahead of the Assembly elections in 2011,” said Mondal.

CPM leaders, however, denied the charge. Samir Bhattacharjee, CPM zonal committee secretary said that 10 of their supporters were injured in the clash.