BJP Slams Mamata Govt After CBI Officials 'Attacked' In Bengal's Bhupatinagar, Draws Parallel To Sandeshkhali Attack
BJP leader Arjun Singh's remarks come hours after an NIA team was attacked in Sandeshkhali's Medinipur.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating an attack on NIA officials in Bhupatinagar to hinder the investigation into a bomb blast case. Poonawalla described the incident as "Sandeshkhalli 2.0," alleging it was a premeditated attempt by the state to obstruct the probe.
"It is unfortunate to see that the TMC has become, 'Terror, Mafia, Corruption' under Mamata Banerjee govt. In this TMC govt, law and order in Bengal deteriorates every day. Such an environment of fear is created in West Bengal that even the officials from central agencies aren't safe then how 'Maa Maati & Maanush' be safe here? Today what we have witnessed is nothing less than Sandeshkhali 2.0," he remarked.
Earlier in the day, a team of official from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) were surrounded by protesters armed with sticks in Bhupatinagar where they went to probe the East Medinipur blast case, when several villagers including women started pelting stones at their vehicle. People allegedly tried to stop the NIA team from taking the accused person along with them.
Today, a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) was attacked at Bhupatinagar in West Bengal's East Midnapore district when the officials reached there to investigate a 2022 blast case at a Trinamool Congress leader's house.
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 6, 2024
This incident reminds us of what happened with ED… pic.twitter.com/VAKPBUYS1w
He claimed, "It was not just a coincidence but a well thought out experiment. It was a state-sponsored attack on the NIA officials." Poonawalla further alleged that the attack bore similarities to a previous incident involving Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, also orchestrated by the TMC.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the attack on officials of NIA in Medinipur, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "... It's very sad to see that the TMC has become, 'Terror, Mafia, Corruption' under Mamata Banerjee govt. In this TMC govt, law & order in Bengal deteriorates every… pic.twitter.com/QPqYBUNzgb
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2024
Accusing Mamata Banerjee of instigating violence, Poonawalla referenced her recent rally in Cooch Behar, where she allegedly made statements provoking violence against NIA officials. He asserted, "As soon as the NIA team was attacked today, Mamata swiftly came in to justify the violence and gave the attackers a complete clean chit." Poonawalla condemned the attack as evidence of the TMC's "Talibani mindset culture," alleging that under Banerjee's government, political violence, corruption, and protection to terror elements have been institutionalised, as quoted by PTI.
Poonawalla criticised the TMC's governance, stating that the party's slogan of 'Ma Mati Manush' has transformed into "bomb blast and save rapists." He accused the TMC of fostering corruption and chaos, asserting, "TMC means too much corruption and too much chaos as well."
Sandeshkhali, an island in the Sundarbans, has become the epicentre of political debate in the country after several women accused suspended TMC politician Shajahan Sheikh and those close to him of sexual abuse and land grabbing. The Calcutta High Court recently stated that what occurred in Sandeshkhali is extremely "shameful".
'Bengal Police Organising Criminals': BJP's Arjun Singh On Bhupatinagar Incident
BJP leader Arjun Singh on Friday said that West Bengal police has been "organising criminals and providing them with the safe passage". His remarks come hours after an NIA team was attacked in Sandeshkhali's Medinipur. Singh alleged that no matter what "such" people may do, the state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will protect them.
"Bengal Police have been doing all these things. Those who attack are been given assurance that whatever they do, will protect them. They know well that nothing will happen to them, NIA, CBI, and ED will come and go. All the people from TMC who are associated with this incident must be arrested within 24 hours otherwise the election won't be fair in the state," Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
#WATCH | North 24 Parganas, West Bengal: On attack over NIA team in Medinipur, BJP leader Arjun Singh says, "...State police have been doing all these things. They organise criminals and provide them safe passage. Those who attack are been given assurance that whatever they do,… pic.twitter.com/V0FwqF2iK2
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2024
Earlier this year, the name of suspended TMC leader Shahjahan came up when a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) went to conduct a raid at his home in connection with a ration scam and was later attacked by a crowd
Shahjahan's association with the Trinamool Congress began in 2013. Notably, two years later, the party assumed power in the state, succeeding the Left Front government in 2011.
Jyoti Priya Mallick, a former State Minister, and TMC leader, identified his political recognition following the TMC's victory in 2011. Mallick is currently in prison for allegedly participating in a multi-crore ration distribution scam.