The incident took place around 3.40 pm after students’ union elections were over at the college. Both SFI and TMCP supporters had assembled in groups outside when clashes broke out. Crude bombs were hurled and bullets flew as one of them hit Uttam Banik, a hawker present there. Banik was taken to nearby B N Bose hospital and was declared brought dead.

“Nobody has been arrested so far. Raids are going on,” said North 24-Parganas SP Rahul Srivastava.

Both the SFI and TMCP claimed the deceased was their supporter, but Raghunath Banik, the deceased’s father, said his son did not belong to either.

The TMCP swept the elections, winning 33 out of the 35 seats.

After the incident, tension mounted in the area and the situation remained volatile till late in the evening.

SFI supporters blocked road at Ghoshpara and sat on railway lines disrupting train service. They also ransacked the TMC party office at Palta level crossing. Tomorrow, they had called for a bandh of the area.

Both groups again clashed at the B N Bose hospital when leaders from both the parties went to see the injured and deceased. “SFI brought outsiders armed with guns and bombs. They thought they would put pressure on the students and win elections,” said Sanjay Raha, the district TMCP president of North 24-Parganas.

Meanwhile, the SFI supporters alleged the TMCP had ransacked at least three of their offices at Badamtala, Shantinagar and near the college.