Kolkata, 6 August (H.S.) –

The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, following the attack on his convoy in Cooch Behar on Tuesday. A senior ministry official spoke to Adhikari late at night to inquire about the incident and his health condition.

According to senior BJP leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also personally called former Union Minister of State for Home and ex-Cooch Behar BJP MP Nisith Pramanik to gather first-hand information. The ministry official later spoke directly with Adhikari, who stated that his life could have been at serious risk had he not been travelling in a bulletproof vehicle. He also expressed his gratitude to the ministry for its prompt response.

Sources indicated that the Home Ministry has expressed concern over the attack and signalled that Adhikari’s security may be further strengthened if necessary. Party insiders noted that such repeated incidents just ahead of the Assembly elections are a matter of grave concern for the BJP leadership. The ministry is also considering seeking a formal report from the state’s Home Secretary on the matter.

Following the incident, Adhikari announced plans to write to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, and Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, highlighting the security lapses. He intends to remind them that his Cooch Behar programme had been held in compliance with a Calcutta High Court order.

On Tuesday, Adhikari, along with 65 BJP MLAs, was scheduled to march to the district police superintendent’s office in Cooch Behar to submit a memorandum protesting recent attacks on BJP representatives. As the convoy reached Khagrabari, Trinamool Congress workers allegedly blocked the road, initially waving black flags in protest before the situation turned violent. The mob reportedly attacked the vehicles with bamboo sticks, iron rods, stones, and bricks. Thanks to the bulletproof car, Adhikari escaped unhurt.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh