Sandeshkhali: Fresh Clashes Emerge After TMC Unveils New Sting Footage

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) released a new video late Saturday night, purportedly showing Gangadhar Koyal, a mandal president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Sandeshkahli, North 24 Parganas, discussing the need for weapons to disrupt around 50 booths ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Fresh violence erupted in Sandeshkhali on Sunday, with BJP workers, mainly women, attacking TMC workers, alleging the fabrication of fake videos. The Sandeshkhali police station was besieged.

In the video, Koyal is seen allegedly discussing the procurement of pistols and cartridges for specific villages. He also discusses the amount of alcohol and funds required for the elections.

Sandeshkhali previously made headlines in February when village women staged violent protests demanding the arrest of Shahjahan, a TMC leader, over allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing. Shahjahan was later arrested and handed over to the CBI.

Koyal has lodged a complaint with the CBI alleging video manipulation and has demanded an investigation. Meanwhile, the BJP shared a video in which a woman featured in the sting video claimed she was coerced, and the video was doctored.

Fresh violence erupted in Sandeshkhali on Sunday, with BJP workers, led by Rekha Patra, attacking a TMC worker. Patra accused TMC leaders of orchestrating violence and fabricating videos to tarnish their image.

State minister Shashi Panja accused the BJP of instigating violence under the leadership of Rekha Patra in Sandeshkhali, blaming Prime Minister Modi for fostering such actions.