West Bengal, 27 July (H.S.): Trinamool Congress MLA and Birbhum Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Kajal Sheikh (Faizul Haque) faced protests during a Martyrs' Day programme in Nanur on Monday when a group of people allegedly hurled raw eggs at him and raised slogans of Kajal Chor and Chor-Chor while he was paying tribute at the martyrs' memorial in Basapara.
Nanur MLA Bidhan Chandra Majhi was also present alongside Kajal Sheikh during the programme, and protesters raised slogans against both leaders.
According to sources, the incident took place at around 10:30 a.m. when Kajal Sheikh and Bidhan Chandra Majhi arrived at the Basapara martyrs' memorial to offer floral tributes. As the wreath-laying ceremony was underway, a group of protesters suddenly began shouting slogans and threw raw eggs at Kajal Sheikh. More eggs were reportedly hurled as he was getting into his vehicle after the programme. The situation remained tense for some time before police intervened and brought it under control.
Reacting to the incident, Kajal Sheikh said, I have never seen those who threw eggs involved in politics. They are anti-social elements who have insulted the martyrs' memorial. I hope the police will take exemplary action against them.
The protesters, however, did not clarify whether they were associated with any political party or faction.
The Martyrs' Day programme is held every year to commemorate the 11 landless agricultural labourers and Trinamool workers killed on July 27, 2000, in Suchpur and Basapara in Nanur. Since 2001, the Trinamool Congress has organised the annual tribute at the Basapara martyrs' memorial, and before becoming Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee regularly attended the event.
Nanur has long been regarded as a politically significant Trinamool stronghold, and Kajal Sheikh is considered to have played a key role in strengthening the party's organisation in the area. Earlier, the responsibility for organising the annual Martyrs' Day programme rested with Anubrata Mondal, before it was handed over to Kajal Sheikh. This year, however, the event was disrupted by protests, with demonstrators shouting slogans such as sand, coal and cattle thief against the MLA, triggering fresh political controversy in the district.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
