Cooch Behar, Sept. 3 -- Factional tensions within the BJP surfaced during the formation of a new board at Nazirhat-II Gram Panchayat in Dinhata, with a panchayat member sustaining serious injuries after allegedly being struck in the head by an arrow during a clash between two rival groups on Thursday.
The injured BJP Panchayat member, Shanti Talukdar, was initially admitted to Dinhata Sub-Divisional Hospital. She was later shifted to a private hospital in Cooch Behar for better treatment, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
According to Helen Talukdar, Shanti's sister, BJP member Yuthika Barman was supposed to become the panchayat head as per the party's decision. "The board formation was scheduled at Nazirhat-II Gram Panchayat on Thursday. As decided by the party, Yuthika Barman was to become the head. When she arrived at the Panchayat office with her supporters, a group allegedly led by Tarani Barman attacked them. Shanti was seriously injured after being struck in the head by an arrow," Helen alleged.
BJP Mandal No. 6 president Krishna Barman alleged that some party members were defying the BJP's organisational decisions and rules by siding with the Trinamool Congress. He claimed that such internal differences were behind the incident.
Tarani Barman, however, rejected the allegations and made a counter-claim. He alleged that those who had allegedly benefited from "cut-money" after the BJP came to power were responsible for creating the present situation.
The clash triggered tension in the Shalmara area. A large police contingent from Sahebganj Police Station was deployed to prevent further escalation.
Police have arrested Ahindra Barman and Atul Barman in connection with the incident. Tension continues to prevail in the area, with police maintaining a close watch.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.