BJP leader Priyangu Pandey alleged that TMC workers attacked and fired at his car, in West Bengal’s Bhatpara area on August 28. (Image: ANI)
The ruling TMC refuted the claims, which came amid the 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ called by the BJP in West Bengal against police action on protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally a day before
Eight unidentified persons were arrested on Wednesday (August 28) hours after the BJP alleged that TMC workers hurled bombs and fired shots at party leader Priyangu Pandey’s car in the Bhatpara area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. The ruling Trinamool Congress refuted the claims, which came amid the 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ called by the saffron party in the state against police action on protesters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally a day before.
What BJP’s Priyangu Pandey said
“Today I was going to our leader Arjun Singh’s residence. We moved some distance and the road was blocked by a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality. The moment our car stopped, around 50-60 people targeted the vehicle. 7 to 8 bombs were thrown at my vehicle and then 6-7 round firing was done. This is a joint conspiracy of TMC and the Police. They planned my murder. The police supported and gave information. My security was withdrawn and then this incident happened,” news agency ANI quoted Pandey as saying.
The BJP leader also mentioned that his driver had been shot at and others sustained wounds. “There are two people who are severely injured among the other seven,” he added.
BJP Shares Visuals, Cops Visit Spot
Later, the BJP shared visuals of the attack on protesters.
West Bengal | Two people got injured in the attack and firing incident on the BJP leader Priyangu Pandey’s car, earlier today, in Bhatpara of North 24 Parganas pic.twitter.com/MO2x3vxabB— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
Police officials, meanwhile, recovered empty bomb shells from near the spot where BJP leader Priyangu Pandey was allegedly attacked.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Police recovered empty bomb shells from near the spot where BJP leader Priyangu Pandey was attacked in Bhatpara of North 24 ParganasPriyangu Pandey claimed that several people attacked and fired on his car, earlier today, in Bhatpara of North 24 Parganas https://t.co/WRreN8Hfiu pic.twitter.com/f9jiuWvHCv
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2024
About the incident, former BJP MP Arjun Singh said there was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey. “When the leaders of our party were coming, the road was blocked using a jetting machine and a bomb was thrown. Seven rounds of firing took place and all this was done in the presence of the ACP. There was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey. Today the situation is such that those who threw the bomb play gambling outside the ACP office,” he said.
“When the leaders of our party were coming, the road was blocked using a jetting machine and a bomb was thrown. Seven rounds of firing took place and all this was done in the presence of the ACP. There was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey. Today the situation is such that those who threw the bomb play gambling outside the ACP office,” he said.
The state police also detained protesting BJP party leaders and workers at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk, including Locket Chatterjee.
WHAT TMC SAID
Earlier in the day, TMC workers staged a protest against the BJP’s call for a general strike. The ruling party accused the BJP of trying to create anarchy in the state.
“We all want justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Mamata Banerjee also wants justice…the case is now in CBI’s hands…One accused has been arrested…now the CBI is investigating the matter…They (BJP) are trying to create anarchy here, yesterday they attacked the police and today they have called this bandh…Everything is normal in Bengal…The people of West Bengal have rejected BJP’s bandh,” said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
