Police clash with demonstrators in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal injuring over 40 people as protesters shouted 'Communists must go'.

As sporadic violence spread, protesters in the state capital of Kolkata set fire to railway tracks and stormed government offices. They pelted stones at vehicles and shouted 'Communists must go' in direct opposition to the local government of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

The unrest is the latest in a series of challenges to the state's ruling CPI-M, which performed dismally in the national elections in May.

Over 40 people suffered minor injures as a result of the clashes. Police arrested 150 protesters all over the state, police Inspector General Raj Kanojia told AFP.

The protests and a strike were called by the Congress Party after nine of its state legislators were allegedly assaulted by the police.

Eyewitnesses said that roads were deserted as local transportation was paralyzed by the strike on Friday. Schools and government offices were also shut down.

(PressTV - Fri 17 Jul 2009)