could-have-been-killed-mamata-claims-attack-on-car-in-bengal

Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that her vehicle was attacked with stones, shoes and mud during a visit to Halisahar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, claiming that she and others in the car “could have been killed”.

 

Banerjee was travelling to meet the family of Birju Keot, a TMC worker who died after falling ill while in police custody. Her visit was met with protests in the area, with demonstrators reportedly raising “chor” slogans and gathering around her vehicle.

 

The former West Bengal chief minister alleged that large stones were thrown at her car despite the police being informed about her visit in advance. She said the attack could have caused serious injuries had the vehicle’s windows been open.

 

“The attack on the vehicle was so severe that if the windows had been open, my head would have been split open. We could have all been killed,” Banerjee said.

 

Banerjee accused the state government of using the police to protect BJP workers but said she had no anger against the police force itself. She described the incident as a “conspiracy” and said she would take legal action.

Also read: CJP's paper leak protest resonated more than Congress': Tharoor

 

The protesters, meanwhile, accused Banerjee of coming to the area to disturb the situation. The BJP also alleged that her visit to Kanchrapara was aimed at provoking tensions and said local residents had protested against her presence.

 

The visit followed the death of Keot, who had been arrested by Halisahar police in connection with cases including extortion. He was produced before a court on Friday and remanded to five days in police custody.

 

Keot’s wife, former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jeni Sharma Keot, alleged that he was beaten inside the police lock-up and died as a result of the assault. There was no immediate response from the police to the allegation.

 

Banerjee was forced to pass through a police cordon during the visit amid the protests.

 

The incident has added to the political confrontation between the ruling TMC and the BJP in Bengal, with both sides trading allegations over the circumstances surrounding the protest and the death of the TMC worker.