Jalpaiguri, Oct. 23 -- Tension flared at Bhandani fair in Dhupguri's Bhandani area on Thursday night following an alleged attack on a CPI(M) book stall. The Left party accused miscreants, allegedly backed by the BJP, of vandalising the stall and attempting to damage books and other materials. The BJP has denied the allegations.
According to CPI(M) sources, party workers had set up the stall after obtaining permission from the fair committee. Book exhibitions and sales have been a longstanding feature of the annual fair.
The situation reportedly escalated when a group allegedly entered the stall area and attempted to damage it. There were also allegations that the group tried to assault women workers present at the stall. The incident triggered heated exchanges and protests before the accused allegedly left the spot.
CPI(M) Jalpaiguri district secretary Pijush Mishra said: "We have been setting up book stalls at the fair for a long time, following the rules of the fair committee. This attempt to attack the stall was aimed at obstructing our efforts to raise political awareness and encourage reading habits."
Despite the incident, book sales continued, party representatives said. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) lodged a complaint against 40 people at the Daukimari outpost under Dhupguri Police Station.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.