Kolkata, 03 May (H.S.): Tension flared up in Noapara area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district ahead of vote counting after unidentified bike-borne assailants opened fire outside the residence of a BJP leader, the police said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday night in the Garulia area, where two persons arrived on a motorcycle, stopped in front of BJP leader Kundan Singh’s house and fired two rounds before fleeing the spot, they said.

A CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, though its authenticity could not be independently verified by Hindusthan Samachar.

In the footage, two youths are seen arriving on a motorcycle, with the pillion rider getting down and opening fire at the house before escaping with the rider, triggering panic in the locality.

The police said they have identified and arrested the accused, Akash Chowdhury and Amandeep Chowdhury, based on the CCTV footage. They were produced before a court on Sunday, and police sought their custody.

The firearm allegedly used in the crime has also been recovered and is being examined to ascertain whether it was used in the firing, officials said.

The BJP alleged that the attack was carried out by miscreants backed by the Trinamool Congress in a bid to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of counting. Noapara BJP candidate Arjun Singh also echoed the charge.

However, Trinamool Congress candidate Trinankur Bhattacharya denied the allegations, saying he does not know the accused and that those involved should be punished as per law.

Meanwhile, TMC candidate from Jagaddal, Somnath Shyam, claimed that the incident could have been “orchestrated” by the BJP itself.

Polling for the state assembly elections was held earlier, and counting is scheduled soon.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey