The exchange of fire and hurling of bombs at Banpara village continued for over an hour and later, police recovered 16 bags of crude bombs from the spot.

Forces had to be rushed to the area to control the situation, said R Rajsekharan, Superintendent of Police, Burdwan. Two persons have been arrested and police personnel have been stationed there, he said. According to local CPM leaders, a large number of villagers became homeless few months ago when Trinamool Congress had established its control over the area.

Amal Haldar, the secretary of Burdwan CPM district committee, said the homeless villagers had made an attempt to enter the village, following which the Trinamool cadres attacked them.

He said the Trinamool supporters had stockpiled the bombs and ammunition in the village. Two party supporters had been injured in the clash.

Mukul Roy, the Trinamool Union minister of State, however, said it was those villagers who supported their party had been forced to leave their homes following attacks by CPM supporters. The CPM cadres, along with hired goons, had attacked Trinamool supporters with firearms and bombs, he said.