Kolkata, Nov. 7 -- A midnight 'assault' on MAITC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's residence on Kalighat Road plunged the area into violence early Saturday, after a group of miscreants allegedly stormed the premises around 2 am, sparking clashes with party supporters that left several people injured. The attack triggered a political storm, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visiting the area later in the day, accusing the BJP and Kolkata Police of facilitating the assault. She demanded the immediate resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand.
Abhishek alleged that BJP-backed miscreants had conducted reconnaissance of his residence and the adjoining party office for two days before the attack. He claimed that seven supporters sustained serious injuries and accused the police of remaining mute spectators. Police personnel intervened and used lathicharge to disperse the groups. Section 163 of the BNS was in force outside his residence. However, after supporters gathered to wish Abhishek on his birthday, another confrontation broke out between them and the police. Describing the incident as the seventh attempt on his life in six months, Abhishek questioned the police's failure to act against those responsible. He shared a video on social media purportedly showing an attacker slapping a police officer in plain clothes. "This is the BJP's model of governance in West Bengal, where hooliganism rules and even police officers are not spared," he said.
The party identified two BJP workers in connection with the violence and demanded their arrest. Abhishek urged supporters to maintain restraint and said the party would continue its fight through democratic and legal means. Mamata alleged that outsiders had been brought in to create trouble with police assistance and accused the administration of obstructing traditional Kali Puja celebrations in the locality. Challenging the administration, she said: "How many bulldozers do you have? Come, I am standing right in front of you. Run the bulldozers over my body."
She demanded Ajay Nanda's resignation, citing the example of his predecessor Vineet Goyal, who had stepped down on moral grounds. She also warned Kalighat police station officer-in-charge Bolai Bag against crossing limits and said she would approach the Supreme Court if necessary. Mamata alleged that women's shankha and loha bangles had been broken during the incident. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, when asked about the incident, said: "This is a sacred place. Do not mention the names of such impure people here." BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya, commenting on the altercation during Abhishek's birthday celebrations, said the party had no connection with the incident. "He had said 'Khela Hobe'. Now, when he stands before the mirror, it is the offside flag," Shamik said, attributing the unrest to what he called the consequences of the Opposition party's past arrogance.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.