Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress and CPM supporters in South 24 Parganas district on Tuesday, with supporters of the ruling party allegedly attacking their opponents with firearms and explosives.

The CPM activists had come to the district for taking out a protest rally against the administration's alleged failure to arrest Arabul Islam, a former Trinamool MLA who had assaulted veteran CPM leader Rezzak Mollah on January 6.

Opposition leader Surya Kanta Mishra said Trinamool supporters torched 13 of the 20 vehicles that were ferrying their supporters. "Around 27 were injured, of whom five were hospitalised. Three of the five suffered bullet injuries, and one is in a critical condition."

Trinamool leader Partha Chatterjee, on the other hand, accused CPM workers of launching the attack.