Kolkata: A violent clash between two rival BJP factions in North 24 Parganas' Barasat left several people injured late on Wednesday night, prompting the deployment of central forces and a large police contingent to the area.

According to local sources, the violence erupted in the Hridaypur station area over a dispute regarding the control of a local club.

The club had reportedly been managed by long-time BJP workers, but tensions escalated after a section of newly inducted party supporters allegedly sought to take over its administration.

What began as an argument between the two groups soon turned into a violent confrontation, with members of both camps allegedly attacking each other using sticks, rods and other weapons. Several people sustained injuries in the clash.

Police from Barasat Police Station rushed to the spot after receiving information about the violence.

Officials said central forces were deployed in the area as a precautionary measure after the situation threatened to spiral out of control.

The unrest reportedly continued at a local hospital where injured supporters from both factions were taken for treatment. Fresh altercations allegedly broke out between the rival groups inside the medical facility.

Amid the turmoil, BJP's Barasat organisational district president Rajib Poddar was allegedly attacked by party workers.

Sources claimed that his residence was also targeted. Poddar was later admitted to a Kolkata hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

The incident has once again brought to the fore factional tensions within the BJP's Barasat unit.

Political observers point to an ongoing rivalry between supporters of newly elected Barasat MLA Shankar Chattopadhyay and those aligned with district president Rajib Poddar.

As rumours spread regarding casualties and injuries suffered by either camp, fresh confrontations reportedly broke out in parts of Barasat, including Taki Road and Hospital Road.

Barasat Police District Superintendent Pushpa confirmed that two complaints had been lodged in connection with the violence.

"Several people have been detained. An investigation is underway," the police officer said. 

Former BJP Barasat organisational district president Tapas Mitra alleged that a section of recently inducted BJP supporters had fuelled the unrest and said he would raise the matter with state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.

Police said the situation is currently under control, while investigations into the clashes continue.