Raiganj, Nov. 2 -- Ashim Adhikary, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor of Ward 25 of Raiganj Municipality, sustained severe burn injuries after catching fire while worshipping at a Shiva temple near his residence in Purba College Para in Raiganj, North Dinajpur district, on Monday morning. He is undergoing treatment at Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital.
His family members alleged that he was subjected to mental harassment by some local residents following the change of power in the state. They claimed that the harassment drove him to attempt suicide. The incident triggered tension in the locality.
According to his wife, Anamika Adhikary, her husband joined the BJP from the TMC ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. She alleged that TMC-backed miscreants subsequently tortured him and he was arrested in connection with criminal cases and spent around 40 days in jail. He later returned to the TMC. She further claimed that her husband was arrested again around two months ago in connection with fake old pending cases and had to remain in judicial custody for some time and said: "Since the change of power in the state, people from several families in our ward have been taunting and harassing him regularly on a Shiva temple issue. On Sunday night, they allegedly threatened to kill him, putting him under immense mental pressure. On Monday morning, he attempted to end his life while worshipping at the temple near our house."
She said the family had lodged a complaint with the police against the persons allegedly responsible for the harassment. They had also sent a message to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, seeking intervention to protect their family.
A police official of Raiganj Police Station said an investigation was initiated into the incident. Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the allegations raised by his family.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.