Kolkata, 07 November (H.S.) : A tense atmosphere prevailed in West Bengal's Kalighat area following a violent clash between Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters and local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers late Friday night. The confrontation outside the residence of TMC leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee involved heated arguments, scuffles, and stone-pelting, triggering widespread tension in the locality. Banerjee alleged that miscreants also extensively vandalized his office during the chaos.

According to police sources, several individuals from both factions sustained injuries in the melee. As the situation threatened to spiral out of control, the police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the warring mobs. In protest against the violence, Banerjee staged a sit-in demonstration outside his residence late into the night, engaging in a heated exchange with police officials. He leveled serious allegations, claiming that BJP workers armed with nail-studded sticks had attacked him and his supporters. Following prolonged pacification and police intervention, the TMC leader finally called off his protest and returned indoors around 6:30 AM on Saturday.

The unrest unfolded on the eve of Banerjee's birthday, which falls on Saturday, November 7. Scores of his supporters had gathered outside his Kalighat residence post-midnight to extend their greetings. The TMC alleged that around 2:00 AM, a group of BJP workers abruptly arrived at the spot and began raising chor (thief) slogans. The situation rapidly deteriorated when the alleged miscreants tore down posters, cutouts, and banners erected for the birthday celebrations. A violent clash erupted when TMC supporters attempted to stop them.

Stepping out of his home in the dead of night, Banerjee met with his injured supporters, claiming that four to five of them had sustained severe injuries. Expressing fears for his life, he alleged, A conspiracy is being hatched to assassinate me through a fatal attack. He further claimed that the fearless attackers even slapped the police personnel stationed at the site. The Diamond Harbour MP pointed out that he had anticipated such an attack and had raised security concerns in a social media post two days prior, specifically tagging the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Conversely, the BJP categorically dismissed all allegations leveled by the TMC, issuing a counter-charge that their workers were subjected to an unprovoked assault by the ruling party's supporters. Reacting to the development, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh took a dig at the TMC, stating, When people are on the verge of defeat or have already lost, they resort to such statements out of sheer frustration. Meanwhile, a heavy police contingent has been deployed in the area, and the situation is currently reported to be under control.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh