Kolkata, 5 Aug (H.S.) — Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday announced that he would write to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, and Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, seeking an explanation for what he termed a major security lapse during an attack on his convoy in Cooch Behar. Adhikari, who is under Z-category security cover, said the incident reflected a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

According to the BJP leader, he was scheduled to lead a march along with 65 other party MLAs to the office of the Superintendent of Police in Cooch Behar town to submit a memorandum against recent alleged attacks on BJP representatives in the district. He said that as his convoy reached the Khagrabari area, a group of protesters brandished black flags, and the situation quickly turned violent. The mob, he alleged, attacked the vehicles in his convoy with bamboo sticks, iron rods, and stones.

Adhikari said he escaped unhurt as his vehicle was fitted with bulletproof glass. He blamed the attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, claiming it was an act of desperation to stop him. “This incident proves that law and order has collapsed not just in Cooch Behar, but across West Bengal. Despite being aware of my programme, the state administration failed to ensure my safety,” he said.

He further alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee believed violence could intimidate or halt him, but vowed that such tactics would fail. Adhikari declared that the people of West Bengal would democratically oust the TMC government in 2026, adding that incidents like this would only strengthen the opposition’s resolve against the ruling party.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh