BJP leader shot at Khejuri in East Midnapore after a clash with Trinamul Congress workers

Biswabrata Goswami

Statesman News Service

MIDNAPORE, 28 JUNE: A BJP district secretary was shot at Khejuri in East Midnapore following a clash between the workers of the ruling Trinamul Congress and the saffron party this afternoon.

Police official said Pabitra Das, BJP’s district secretary received bullet injury at his left hand and he was immediately taken to the Contai state general hospital for treatment. His condition is now stable.

According to local residents, the incident took place when a group of BJP supporters, led by the party’s district secretary Pabitra Das, protested against the local Trinamul dominated panchayat’s alleged decision to sell off the trees uprooted in cyclone Amphan without floating tenders. “When the BJP activists were staging a demonstration and the supporters of Trinamul Congress assembled there. Shortly, a clash between the two groups broke out,’’ said an eyewitness.

During the clash, Das was seen slumping on the road and as other BJP supporters reached him, they spotted blood oozing out of his wound, said the police. Das was immediately admitted to a local hospital.

Soon after the incident, some irate BJP workers also ransacked houses belonging to the Trinamul supporters, but the police intervened immediately and brought the situation under control.

Dilip Ghosh, BJP’s state president, alleged the Trinamul supporters attacked Das and other BJP supporters in the presence of police personnel. “Das is a very active worker of our party. He protested against the illegal act of local panchayat members. The police stood as mute spectators when the supporters of the ruling party unleashed attack,” he said.

Trinamul Congress MP in Contai, East Midnapore, Sisir Adhikari said none of his party supporters was involved in the incident.

Courtesy: Images from iNET.