New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, was injured during a protest in Birbhum district on Wednesday, police said.
According to sources close to news agency PTI, Adhikari was protesting against ‘atrocities on women’ in the district. He was leading the agitation outside the district magistrate's office at Suri when an iron barricade fell on his feet.
The BJP leader has alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration in the state is behind the incident.
The sources said that police had set up iron barricades outside the DM’s office to stop the protestors from forcefully entering the premises. However, during the scuffle between the agitators and the police personnel, one of the barricades fell on Adhikari’s feet, injuring him. He was rushed to nearby hospital which released him later.
"There is a slight crack. Everybody has seen who has done it. I don't want to blame or name anyone," Adhikari said as quoted by PTI, adding, “As they (TMC administration) can't stop me, they have resorted to such tactics."
Speaking at an event earlier, the BJP leader said that Birbhum district has turned into a place where the rule of law does not exist.
He said that under the rule of TMC, the district has turned into a safe place for criminals and the anti-socials.
Notably, nine people, mostly women, were burnt to death at Bogtui village in Birbhum district soon after a local TMC leader was killed on March 21.
During the protest, the BJP activists, carrying posters and placards, raised slogans against the TMC government and demanded immediate arrest of those involved in rape cases across West Bengal.
Meanwhile, the ruling party alleged that Adhikari had gone to the district to cause disturbance.
However, the protest was called off after Adhikari sustained injuries.