Parts of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal experienced significant violence on Tuesday morning, following recent tensions in the area. The outbreak of violence occurred just a day after the district’s visit by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.
According to the latest updates, Khagen Bhutiya (55), a worker from the Trinamool Congress party, sustained severe injuries during a gun battle in Basanti. He has been admitted to the local primary block rural hospital for treatment.
The Trinamool Congress leadership has accused local BJP activists of being responsible for the incident, a claim that the latter has denied.
As a result of the incident, pockets of Basanti witnessed tension and sporadic clashes. While a police contingent arrived at the scene to restore order, tension continued to prevail in the area at the time of reporting.
Similarly, late on Monday night, major clashes erupted between activists of the Trinamool Congress and the All India Secular Front (AISF) in the Majerhat area of Bhangar, which is located near the residence of AISF legislator Naushad Siddique.
A substantial police contingent, accompanied by Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, was deployed to the area. However, due to a road blockade, the forces initially faced difficulties in accessing the site. Eventually, on Tuesday morning, they managed to enter the affected areas and brought the situation under control.
The local AISF leadership has alleged that the police acted in a biased manner by selectively arresting their supporters.
On Monday afternoon, the Governor visited Basanti and met Manoara Piyada, the daughter of the slain Trinamool Congress leader Jiyarul Molla, who was allegedly killed by his own party colleagues early Sunday morning.
During his visit, the Governor strongly condemned the ongoing violence in relation to the upcoming panchayat polls scheduled for July 8, 2023, and urged the state election commission and the government to take decisive action against those involved within 48 hours.
On his way back from Bhangar, the Governor visited various retail markets in Kolkata to assess the prices of vegetables following reports of rising costs of essential food items.