Kolkata: Kolkata Police have arrested three Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in connection with clashes outside the residence of party National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kalighat, following allegations of an attack by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters.
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The arrested workers have been identified as Sreedip Das, Md Taquir Alam and Mohammad Irshad.
Reacting to his arrest, TMC worker Sreedip Das claimed he was being targeted for supporting the party leadership and alleged that those involved in vandalism had not been arrested.
"My only crime is that I support Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee and the TMC. None of those who engaged in vandalism, the names given by the TMC to the police, have been arrested," Das said.
The arrests follow a confrontation outside Banerjee's residence early Saturday, which reportedly began when a group of BJP supporters allegedly raised 'chor' (thief) slogans. TMC workers gathered in the area responded with counter-slogans, leading to arguments and clashes between the two groups.
Both sides traded allegations of assault, stone-pelting and vandalism. Several people were reportedly injured, with Banerjee claiming that four to five of his supporters sustained serious injuries. He said one required plastic surgery while another suffered a fracture.
Banerjee alleged that BJP workers attacked his residence around 2 am, on Saturday after conducting surveillance of his office and home for two consecutive days. He also claimed that the incident was part of a conspiracy to kill him, alleging that it was the seventh attempt on his life in six months.
Sharing a video purportedly showing the incident on social media, the three-term Diamond Harbour MP accused the Kolkata Police of failing to prevent the attack despite being present at the scene. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified by PTI.
The MP also alleged that the attackers used wooden rods fitted with nails and vandalised a local party office. He had earlier raised concerns about unidentified individuals allegedly conducting reconnaissance of his residence and office, claiming they posed as police personnel when confronted.
The BJP rejected the allegations and accused TMC supporters of provoking the confrontation. West Bengal Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh dismissed Banerjee's claims, saying such accusations were common when political power was at stake.
Kolkata Police said a commotion had broken out between supporters of the two parties and that a police team intervened. An investigation was underway, an officer said. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were also imposed around Banerjee's residence, restricting gatherings of more than five people.
TMC spokesperson Arka Nag criticised the restrictions, arguing that they could disrupt the movement of Kali idols ahead of the festival. He also accused the police of failing to maintain law and order and said the party had lodged a complaint.
Former West Bengal chief minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee also condemned the alleged attack and accused the BJP and police of creating an atmosphere of intimidation in Kalighat.
Daring the BJP to use bulldozers against her, she said, "How many bulldozers do you have? Bring them all. If you have the courage, come and run your bulldozers over my body."
The incident has triggered a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal, with the TMC accusing the BJP of political violence and the opposition questioning the state government's handling of law and order.
(With agency inputs from ANI and PTI)
