Howrah, 12 June (H.S.): Tension erupted in Howrah district on Friday after a large quantity of government relief materials was removed from a warehouse and garage linked to Trinamool Congress MLA Priya Pal, prompting protests from local residents who alleged that the supplies had been stored instead of being distributed to beneficiaries.

The incident took place at a warehouse in Sarenga under the Sankrail Assembly constituency, represented by Priya Pal. According to local sources, relief items including tarpaulins, blankets, sarees, dhotis and other clothing materials were being loaded onto three goods vehicles for transportation when villagers stopped the vehicles and staged a protest.

The protesters questioned why such a large quantity of relief materials had remained in the MLA’s warehouse for an extended period. They alleged that the supplies were intended for poor and needy residents but had never been distributed among eligible beneficiaries.

As the situation became tense, personnel from Sankrail Police Station rushed to the spot and intervened. The protest reportedly subsided after government officials produced documents explaining the movement of the materials. However, local residents continued to demand a thorough search of the garage and warehouse premises.

The issue quickly drew political attention, with local BJP leaders accusing the MLA of concealing relief supplies and attempting to remove them secretly. BJP leaders alleged that the materials were being taken out for purposes other than public distribution and demanded a detailed investigation into the matter.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of earlier allegations against Priya Pal. Prior to the Assembly elections, a section of Trinamool Congress leaders had reportedly raised complaints against her. According to local political sources, a faction within the party had sent a letter about those allegations to senior party leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and Kausar Siddiqui, about a month ago.

Rejecting all allegations, Priya Pal maintained that the relief materials were being returned to the administration because they had remained undistributed.

“I had written to the District Magistrate requesting that the relief materials which could not be distributed be taken back by the administration. The authorities were acting on that request and removing the materials accordingly,” the MLA said.

Officials have not yet announced whether any formal inquiry will be conducted into the allegations. The incident has nevertheless sparked fresh political controversy, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency regarding the storage and distribution of government relief supplies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh