Siliguri tense after fans of Indian Idol champ clash

Within a week after a native of Darjeeling, Prashant Tamang, won the coveted Indian Idol singing competition, things turned worse in Silliguri today after fans of Tamang clashed with local residents here.

Siliguri (West Bengal), Sept 28 : Within a week after a native of Darjeeling, Prashant Tamang, won the coveted Indian Idol singing competition, things turned worse in Silliguri today after fans of Tamang clashed with local residents here.

Close to 2,000 fans of Tamang were protesting in Silliguri today against the alleged derogatory remark made by a radio jockey in Delhi-based FM radio station, when things turned violent.

Nepalese dominated fans of Tamang clashed with locals and police here leading to widespread violence in the commercial city of West Bengal.

Two people have been seriously injured and dozens other have sustained minor injuries.

Army has been called in and large numbers of paramilitary and police personnel have been deployed in the city, where Section 144 has been clamped.

Police had to open fire in air to control the situation there. Teargas shells were also fired.

Tamang, an ethnic Nepalese youth, who is working with the Kolkata Police, won the closely fight competition after beating Amit Paul from Meghalaya.

ANI