West Bengal, 3 July (H.S.)The principal of Government General Degree College of Chapra in Nadia district was allegedly assaulted by the brother of a local Trinamool Congress leader on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred when Dr Shubhashish Panda, the principa, went to repair the awareness boards installed outside the college to promote environmental conservation.

Speaking to Hindusthan Samachar on Thursday afternoon, Dr Panda broke down in tears as he described the ordeal. The accused is still roaming free. I feel deeply humiliated. I have always worked for society and the environment. I never imagined I would be insulted in this way. This is a very difficult time for me. I demand that the police must arrest the accused and take the strictest possible action against him.”

Dr Subhashish Panda has been serving at Chapra College since 2021. A dedicated entomologist, he is involved in research on insect conservation and their beneficial roles in agriculture. Beyond his academic contributions, Dr Panda is also known for his national-level efforts in environmental conservation. In the Chapra region, he has been leading awareness campaigns to preserve biodiversity along bushes and canals.

According to local residents, there have been attempts to encroach upon government land by clearing bushes along roads and public spaces. When Panda began installing environmental awareness boards at such sites, they were reportedly vandalized. Recounting the attack, he said, At around 5:10 PM on Wednesday, I went with a security guard to repair the boards when a man approached, questioned me, and then started assaulting me with kicks and punches.”

Dr Panda accused Ajay Ghosh, the brother of a local Trinamool Congress leader, of launching the attack. He alleged that Ghosh brutally assaulted him in the presence of the security guard. Following the incident, Panda was taken to Chapra Rural Hospital for treatment.

A formal complaint has been lodged at Chapra police station.

Ajay Ghosh appeared before the media and said, My mental state wasn't stable at that time. Even if my father had been there, I would have hit him too. I was angry and now I regret my actions.”

Though the police initiated an investigation into the matter, the accused was roaming free till the time of filing of the news.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey