The attack occurred during the BJP’s 12-hour Bengal Bandh, organized to protest the police’s use of force at the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally. On Wednesday, a BJP leader claimed that Trinamool Congress workers attacked his vehicle in Bhatpara, North 24 Parganas district.
The leader recounted that shortly after leaving his home at 8:15 am to visit Arjun Singh, his path was blocked by a jetting machine. A group of 50-60 individuals then targeted his car, throwing bombs and firing several rounds of bullets.
Arjun Singh reported that seven bullets were fired at the vehicle and stated that the attack happened in the presence of a senior Bengal police officer. He described it as an attempted assassination of Priyangu Pandey. Singh accused Trinamool leaders Tarun Sau and MLA Somnath Shyam of orchestrating the attack, alleging that the attackers were brought from Kakinara.
The BJP has been protesting against the Trinamool government following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. In response, extensive security measures have been implemented across West Bengal. Dendup Sherpa, Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) in Uttar Dinajpur, said that police are deployed throughout the state to ensure order.
The state administration has also instructed drivers and conductors of government buses in Kolkata to wear helmets, with many drivers from North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) seen complying with this directive.
On Tuesday, Kolkata saw significant unrest as security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and lathi charges to disperse protesters moving towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna. The demonstrations were related to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has blamed the BJP for the chaos, accusing them of inciting violence and disrupting public order. The TMC characterized the BJP’s actions as a deliberate attack on Bengal. The BJP has also criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her a dictator.
