Kolkata, Sept. 8 -- The TMC condemned BJP MLA Rekha Patra over allegations that she was involved in a scuffle during a long-standing land dispute in Sandeshkhali, allegedly in the presence of police and central forces.
"Power is not a licence to assault, intimidate or obstruct," the party said, questioning the conduct of an elected representative.
The incident reportedly took place in Bauthakuran village, Sandeshkhali-II. Residents said a long-running dispute over around nine bighas of Patra's ancestral land involved co-sharer Kalipada Naskar and his son Subhash.
The land dispute began in 2014 and eventually reached the Calcutta High Court. While Patra's family contested the ownership, the Naskar family claimed a court order allowed Subhash to cultivate the land.
Trouble reportedly erupted when Subhash went to cultivate the land in the presence of police. Patra and her supporters allegedly arrived at the spot, following which an argument broke out and later turned into a physical altercation.
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows the two sides involved in a scuffle while police and central forces were present.
Patra is also alleged to have been involved. However, the authenticity of the video and the complete circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently verified.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.