Mumbai (The Hindu): At least 24 people, including 11 women, were injured late Sunday night, after BJP and CPI (M) workers clashed at Talasari, over the results of elections to a gram panchayat.

The injured have been admitted to Vinobha Bhave Hospital at Silvassa and Hariya Hospital at Vapi. While, 39 persons have been charged with rioting, no arrests have been made so far.

The CPI (M) lost Zarigaon gram panchayat to the BJP in the recently-held polls. The incident occurred at Valhaipada in Zarigaon in Palghar district wherein CPI (M) workers pelted stones, bricks, and attacked BJP workers with sickles and other weapons. The BJP workers retaliated and in the melee, clothes of some women were also torn up. “When the Talasari police arrived at the spot, the workers from both the parties prevented them from entering the village by placing barricades,” said Sharda Raut, SP, Palghar. Both the parties lodged complaints against each other, alleging assault.

“We will record statements of the injured once they are discharged from the hospital, and take further action,” she said. The situation in the village is peaceful now with the presence of a riot police squad and a strong police force.