Cooch Behar, 03 October (H.S.): Tension gripped parts of Cooch Behar after alleged vandalism at the residence of a BJP Panchayat Committee member, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) facing accusations.

According to reports, the incident followed a clash late Thursday night at the Bhhetaguri grain market Durga Puja pandal, where two TMC workers — Tapan Barman and Naresh Barman — were allegedly assaulted by BJP supporters. In retaliation, on Friday, local residents claimed that under the leadership of Bhhetaguri 2 region TMC president Sunil Roy Sarkar, several houses, including that of BJP Panchayat Committee member Sita Barman in Baisguri, were vandalized.

Sita Barman alleged that her house had been targeted multiple times in the past, but police failed to take any action. “Today my son was also beaten,” she claimed.

However, TMC leader Sunil Roy Sarkar denied the charges, stating that BJP workers were responsible for attacking their party men. “Two of our workers were beaten up by BJP. We will lodge a police complaint regarding this. We have no information about any vandalism at houses,” he said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh