Kolkata, 12 August (H.S.) – BJP MLA Ashok Dinda has been served a notice by New Market Police Station in connection with allegations of misbehaviour and assault on police personnel during the Nabanna (State Secretariat) campaign. He has been directed to appear before the police on August 17 for questioning. The case relates to the August 9 protest.

According to an officer, the parents of the RG Kar Hospital case victim had called for a Secretariat campaign on August 9, which was initially described as non-political. However, several senior BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Ashok Dinda, and Agnimitra Paul, joined the protest. During the demonstration, there was aggressive sloganeering against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and police personnel engaged in maintaining law and order allegedly faced pushing, shoving, and verbal abuse. Police claim that three constables were injured, and even an IPS officer was assaulted during the incident.

The FIR lodged over the incident led to the issuance of the notice to Dinda.

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, Abhaya, reportedly fell ill during the protest. It is alleged that she sustained a head injury after being struck during police action at Park Street and had to be hospitalised. Members of the Abhaya Manch blamed not only the police but also Suvendu Adhikari for the incident, claiming that he had brought the victim’s parents to the protest and was therefore also responsible for their safety.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh