Bengal: Elderly Man's Death Sparks Political Row; BJP Accuses TMC's Involvement, Mamata Denies

An elderly man's death in Bankura sparked controversy, with BJP alleging TMC involvement. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attributed the death to a family dispute.

File photo of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Source : PTI

The death of an elderly man in the Bankura district of West Bengal on Tuesday has ignited a political controversy, where the BJP alleged the involvement of TMC members. Contradicting the claim, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee refuted the allegation on Thursday stating that the BJP was unnecessarily politicising the death. She attributed the death to a family dispute.

As per the report of PTI, in response to allegations of the BJP, Banerjee said, "The BJP is spreading false information about the incident in Bankura. From what I've investigated, it appears to be a case of a family dispute over land. Police have taken appropriate action."

Embracing the remark of Banerjee, the Bankura Police wrote on its social media handle X, "Efforts are being made to spread misinformation about an incident at Khatra Police Station, Bankura. An FIR has been registered at Khatra PS, and three individuals from the same village have already been arrested in connection with the incident."

Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation over an incident at PS Khatra, Bankura. An FIR has been registered at Khatra PS and 3 persons of the same village have already been arrested over the incident. Investigation so far conducted reveals that there… https://t.co/IH9KXaheqD

— Bankura Police (@spbankura) July 11, 2024

The post further stated, "The investigation conducted so far indicates there was a land dispute between the accused individuals and the deceased. On the day of the incident, a scuffle broke out over the cutting of a tree on that land, resulting in the injury to the deceased." 

'70-Year-Old Was Injured During Scuffle:' Police

According to a police officer, 70-year-old Bankubehari Mahato was injured during a scuffle with neighbours over the chopping of a tree on Tuesday and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Mahato's death led to protests in the area, with BJP activists staging demonstrations outside Khatra police station, alleging that he was the local BJP booth president and was murdered by TMC supporters.

Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Subhas Sarkar visited Bankura Sammilani Medical College on Wednesday, where Mahato's body was kept in the morgue, and claimed that the incident was another instance of post-election violence orchestrated by the TMC following the Lok Sabha poll results.