Jalpaiguri, Sept. 8 -- Tension gripped Jalpaiguri following alleged attacks on the CPI(M) district office and the residence of a party councillor. The CPI(M) blamed BJP and ABVP supporters, while the ABVP denied the allegations.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the residence of Sanchita Panchanan Dhar, CPI(M) councillor of Ward 23 of the Jalpaiguri Municipality. Her 80-year-old mother sustained a leg injury during the alleged attack. Sanchita alleged that around 200 ABVP supporters attacked her house, hurled stones and tried to enter by breaking the gate and doors.
Local residents reportedly resisted the attackers, with BJP Mahila Morcha district vice-president Purabi Ghosh also joining them. The alleged attackers subsequently retreated.
The developments followed a clash at Jalpaiguri Law College on Monday between ABVP and SFI supporters over the conduct of a programme. ABVP members later lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station, alleging an attack by SFI supporters.
Later that night, the CPI(M) alleged that its district office, Subodh Sen Bhavan, was attacked. Stones were allegedly hurled at the building and petrol was reportedly poured in an attempt to set it on fire. The party also alleged that its red flags and a martyr's memorial were vandalised.
The CPI(M) lodged a complaint against 12 ABVP and BJP workers. Both sides have lodged separate complaints, and police have started an investigation. No arrests had been made till the time of filing this report. The CPI(M) and other Left parties also took out a protest rally in Jalpaiguri town, condemning the alleged attack on the party office. BJP state general secretary Bapi Goswami said, "The CPIM is an anti-national party."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.