The police said that Sheikh Siraj, a Trinamool supporter from Bolpur, died while he was being transferred from a local hospital in Bolpur to another one in Burdwan.

Birbhum Superintendent of Police L N Meena said the situation was under control, adding that 14 persons have been arrested from Papuri village, which is said to be a Trinamool stronghold, for their involvement in the violence.

Refuting the Trinamool’s claims, district police sources said the five persons who died on Saturday were all CPM supporters, while all the arrested are supporters of Trinamool. Meena said a police camp has been set up around 5 km from Papuri, where the clash took place, and police teams are patrolling the area to prevent any such incident of violence.

The clash took place early on Saturday when a group of armed CPM cadres tried to enter Papuri village. The Trinamool supporters tried to confront the CPM cadres which resulted in a bloody battle.

Five persons were killed, while seven others were injured in the clash that involved use of firearms and random arson. Four of the dead have been identified as Lalbabu Sheikh, Rashid Sheikh, Riyaji Sheikh, Mukhtar Sheikh — all residents of Papuri village.