An attack on the National Investigation Agency (NIA) occurred in Bhupatinagar in Bengal’s East Midnapore district while the team was investigating the 2022 blast in West Bengal’s East Medinipur district. The team members were suddenly assaulted by a mob, resulting in minor injuries to the NIA officers. The situation escalated when two Trinamool Congress (TMC) members were picked up for questioning. The mob attacked the officers’ vehicle and damaged other properties.
A similar incident took place in West Bengal when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided TMC leader Shahjahan’s house, as he was accused in a case involving assault against women. Massive protests were organized by BJP leaders against the TMC for Shahjahan’s arrest. Shahjahan was arrested nearly two weeks after the protests.
The Blame Game
While BJP leaders labeled West Bengal as ‘lawless,’ TMC claims this is a conspiracy to create chaos in the state before the Lok Sabha Election.
“It is due to Mamata Banerjee’s repeated instigation that even after the ED Officials were attacked at Sandeshkhali, the TMC Leaders could still dare to attack the @NIA_India Officers. She recently spoke ill about the NIA at the political event at Mathabhanga, in the Cooch Behar district,” Suvendu Adhikari, leader of Opposition, said in a post on X.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also took on X to blame Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “West Bengal continues to remain lawless, as ever, under Mamata Banerjee’s misrule,” he said in a post on X. “This [the attack on the NIA team] wouldn’t have been possible without local police’s involvement. All criminals in Bengal, from Shahjahan Sheikh to Anubroto Mondal, enjoy TMC’s protection,” he added.
“There is no law and order in West Bengal…even central teams are not safe here. The law and order has collapsed. We feel that Article 355 (duty of the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance) must be imposed to ensure free, fair and peaceful Lok Sabha elections,” BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh blamed the BJP for the forced protest. He said, “The incident in Bhupatinagar was unexpected and unfortunate. But, behind this is BJP’s politics and motivation. As people know, BJP leaders met the NIA and came with a list of @AITCofficial workers, so everyone knows the conspiracy. Spontaneous anger. BJP is trying to remove Trinamool workers from the area with NIA on false charges in front of the court. People were forced to protest. BJP is planning to create chaos.”
“It is a pre-planned conspiracy when a central agency goes to raid a place or conduct a search and informs the media but does not inform the local administration,” TMC leader Santanu Sen said. “The way central agencies are used against Opposition parties ahead of polls is unprecedented. If police and local administration had been informed, such an unfortunate incident could have been stopped. Naturally, it is clear that BJP wants such incidents,” Sen added.]
2022 Blast
On December 3, 2022, an explosion tore through a kutcha house in Nairobi village of Bhupatinagar, claiming the lives of three individuals, including Trinamool booth president Rajkumar Manna, his brother Devkumar Manna, and Biswajit Gayen.
Last week, eight Trinamool Congress leaders once again failed to appear in response to summonses by the NIA for questioning regarding a blast in Bhupatinagar, located in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district, in 2022.
“We need to talk to them for the sake of our investigation. Since they did not appear today, we may issue a fresh summons for them to appear before our officers on another date,” the official said.
