Hooghly, 28 July (H.S.): Tension prevailed in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Tuesday after the Pradhan and Deputy Pradhan of the Trinamool Congress-run Baichipota Gram Panchayat in Singur were allegedly attacked with eggs by an angry crowd over allegations of corruption and financial irregularities.

According to local sources, Gram Panchayat Pradhan Mayabati Karmakar and Deputy Pradhan Nabakumar Bag have been facing allegations of collecting illegal commissions from beneficiaries of government schemes and irregularities in panchayat-related works. A large number of people gathered outside the panchayat office to protest against them.

During the protest, the crowd allegedly threw eggs at the Pradhan and Deputy Pradhan. The Pradhan was reportedly forced to sit on the ground while eggs were hurled at her. Some women protesters allegedly assaulted her, hit her with slippers and made her wear a garland of slippers. The Deputy Pradhan was also targeted in the egg attack.

The police from Singur Police Station rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and rescued both leaders from the agitated crowd before taking them to the police station.

Allegations have been made that BJP workers instigated the protest. However, no official response has been issued by the BJP regarding the allegation. Police said no formal complaint had been lodged by either side till the filing of this report.

The incident comes amid a series of similar protests in West Bengal in which public representatives have been targeted with eggs. Last week, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had said in the Assembly that throwing eggs is not part of Bengal's culture, and I do not support such acts. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has also condemned such incidents in recent days. Despite these statements, similar protests continue to be reported from different parts of the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey