'Unprovoked And Uncalled For': NIA Refutes CM Mamata's Claim On 'Attack' In Bengal's Bhupatinagar

The NIA stated that its team came under a "violent attack" by the mob and it was "completely unprovoked and uncalled for".  

Villagers argue with security personnel during an investigation into the 2022 Bhupatinagar blast case by NIA. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday categorically refuted the allegations of “unlawful actions” during its probe in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal’s Bhupatinagar and dismissed the entire controversy as “unfortunate”.

“NIA made it clear that its actions were bona fide, lawful and legally mandated, as part of its ongoing investigation into the heinous crime related to the fabrication of crude bombs… NIA has reiterated that its team had come under violent attack by an unruly mob when they had gone to conduct searches in Naruabila village on Saturday in connection with its probe in said case,” the agency said in a statement.

The agency further stated that its team came under a "violent attack" by the mob and it was "completely unprovoked and uncalled for".  

“The searches were conducted at five locations in the presence of independent witnesses and the security cover of CRPF, which included lady constables. The arrests were made after following all lawful procedures,” the NIA said.

Meanwhile, a court in Kolkata remanded two persons arrested in connection with the Bhupatinagar blast case to NIA's custody till April 10, PTI reported.

This comes a day after a team of the NIA came under an alleged attack by a mob in Bhupatinagar in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district when they went to arrest two key conspirators, Manobrata Jana and Balai Charan Maity in the 2022 blast case.

Three people were killed in the blast that took place in the area in December 2022.

Refusing the two accused persons' bail petition, the City Sessions Court sent them to NIA custody till April 10. NIA counsel Shyamal Ghosh had applied for their custody to interrogate them in connection with the blast case, PTI reported.

Saturday’s incident sparked a political slugfest as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the investigators assaulted the villagers, while the Opposition claimed the NIA team was attacked by “TMC-backed goons”.