Post-poll violence continues in Bengal; BJP, TMC trade barbs

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been accused of spreading leaflets allegedly threatening to rape and kill BJP women activists in Jafala in Barakala area of Kharagpur Grameen (Rural) in West Medinipur district. On Monday, the district BJP leadership lodged a complaint with the local police station along with a leaflet. Arup Das, co-president of the district BJP, said that the ruling party was trying to quell the opposition by threatening, beating and killing BJP activists after the election results. The BJP leadership demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the incident.

However, denying the allegations, the Trinamool leadership said that the BJP was doing such things in the wake of the saffron party’s electoral defeat and was trying to create terror in the area with outsiders. The area near the house of BJP MP Arjun Singh was allegedly vandalised, and one person was injured. However, people in area are afraid of naming the miscreants in public. Locals area complained that a group of miscreants came and bombed, threw bricks and vandalised shops and houses, including bikes.

Police Commissioner Manoj Verma reached the spot at night. He said there was a commotion between two groups in the area over the “bombing of a wedding party”. However, the police came and brought it under control. Investigation has begun.

After a break of a few days, post-poll violence in Kanchan Nagar Rathtala in Burdwan has again emerged. Homes of several BJP workers in the area were attacked on Sunday night. The BJP has alleged vandalism and looting. They claimed that Trinamool miscreants led by Khokon Das, MLA of Burdwan South, carried out the attack. Upon receiving the news, the police of Burdwan police station reached the spot.

BJP’s Burdwan convener Kallol Nandan alleged that people close to the MLA did it. The houses of four BJP workers were vandalised and looted in the area. The workers panicked and left the area. The BJP workers are being told to return home on the instructions of the High Court. But the ruling Trinamool Congress is allegedly trying to create an atmosphere of terror again.

However, district Trinamool Congress spokesperson Prosenjit Das denied all the allegations made by the BJP. He said party supremo Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have given clear instructions that houses of the Opposition party should not be attacked in any way. The BJP is making false allegations, he said.

The administration has also dismissed the allegations of violence against the Opposition. Chief Minister has Mamata Banerjee claimed that there has been no renewed violence after the Trinamool came to power. On the other hand, the Governor and the BJP have been vocal. The Governor tweeted about the growing violence on Saturday and Sunday, and called the Chief Secretary who has not yet submitted a report to him. Meanwhile, reports of violence have come from different parts of the state.