BJP MLA attacked while distributing flood relief materials; toll rises to 32, several still missing
KOLKATA, Oct 7: The political row over the attack on two BJP leaders in flood and landslide-hit north Bengal flared up on Tuesday, as the Centre sought answers from the TMC government and the saffron camp alleged that “jihadi elements” were behind the assault, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met injured BJP MP Khagen Murmu in hospital.
The spiralling confrontation came on a day when the death toll from last week’s devastating landslides and flash floods in Darjeeling district climbed to 32, with several people still missing and thousands stranded across the battered hills and plains.
In a surprise visit, Banerjee met Murmu at a private hospital in Siliguri, where the Malda Uttar MP is undergoing treatment for serious facial injuries sustained in Monday’s mob assault at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district and enquired about his health.
The hospital visit came hours after the Lok Sabha Secretariat sought a factual note within three days from the Union Home Ministry on the attack.
Parliament officials said the Secretariat has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs to obtain a “factual note” from the West Bengal government within three days.
Television visuals showed Banerjee entering the hospital and speaking softly to the injured parliamentarian and his family.
“Do you have diabetes? Are you taking insulin and medicines regularly?” she was heard asking Murmu, before consulting doctors and assuring that the government would extend all necessary help.
“If you need any assistance or further treatment elsewhere, please let me know,” Banerjee told the family.
However, she did not meet Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh, who was also injured in the attack and shares a frosty relationship with the chief minister following repeated assembly clashes.
While the BJP welcomed Banerjee’s visit as a “political courtesy”, it questioned the “inaction” of the police.
“It is appalling that even after 24 hours, not a single arrest has been made. The culprits are roaming free,” said state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.
Murmu, who is in the ICU with a fractured bone below his eye, is stable but under close monitoring, and doctors said he may need surgery.
The assault on Murmu and Ghosh came amid torrential rains that triggered deadly floods and landslides across north Bengal.
It has now snowballed into a full-fledged confrontation between the Centre and the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday night calling the incident “outright appalling” and “reflective of the pathetic law and order situation in Bengal.” Banerjee shot back, accusing Modi of “politicising a natural disaster instead of standing by the people.” Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiran Rijiju, who visited the affected areas along with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has sought a report from the state government on the attack and warned that any delay could invite action under the Privilege Motion.
“This is not just about an MP or an MLA; every citizen must be given security,” Rijiju said.
He added that he was visiting the affected families on behalf of the Prime Minister and would submit a detailed report to him after reviewing the situation.
BJP MLA ASSAULTED
BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon was on Tuesday allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers while distributing flood relief materials in Alipurduar, a day after two senior BJP leaders were assaulted by a mob in adjoining Jalpaiguri district.
Oraon, who sustained injuries in the incident, claimed that a group of TMC workers attacked him and his supporters when they were distributing relief items among flood-affected villagers in his constituency Kumargram. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment.
“While trying to help flood-hit people, I was suddenly surrounded and attacked. This is the state of democracy under the TMC,” Oraon reportedly said from the hospital.
The TMC, however, denied the charges and dubbed them as “baseless”.
“The charges are baseless. It was Manoj Oraon who had assaulted an aged man in his area first,” a local TMC leader said.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP strongly condemned the incident, accusing the ruling TMC of “terror politics” in the state.
“Whenever we stand beside flood-hit people in north Bengal, the TMC unleashes its rampage! In Mamata Banerjee’s rule, even showing solidarity with people in distress has become a crime! BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon, party workers, and central forces were attacked,” the party posted on X along with a video of the attack.
PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
BJP ALLEGES ILLEGAL BANGLADESHIS BEHIND ATTACK
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday alleged that two party leaders – MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Sankar Ghosh – were assaulted by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas in Jalpaiguri district a day ago, and demanded an NIA probe into the incident.
He also claimed that ‘jihadi’ elements, abetted by the ruling TMC, were behind the attack on the two leaders.
Bhattacharya said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were monitoring the situation and would not allow such elements to call the shots in the state.
Addressing a press conference here, Bhattacharya claimed, “The attack was perpetrated by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas. ‘Jihadi’ elements, patronised by the ruling TMC, carried out the unprovoked attack on our two senior leaders who went to Nagrakata to meet the flood and landslide-affected people and distribute relief materials.” He also accused the Trinamool Congress of engineering attacks at various places to create a fear psychosis among people before the initiation of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
“If anyone thinks that by attacking BJP parliamentarians and legislators, they can create fear among our workers, they are mistaken,” Bhattacharya said.“We demand an NIA probe into the incident. We don’t have faith in the state police and investigating agencies. Have you heard the statement of TMC leaders and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the attack?,” he asked during the press conference. (PTI)
