TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee assaulted, sustains head injury day after attack on Abhishek Banerjee
PTC News Desk: A day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee was assaulted, another party MP Kalyan Banerjee was also attacked and sustained a head injury on Sunday during a clash outside the Chanditala police station in Hooghly district.
Tensions flared in West Bengal after a clash erupted between supporters of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party during a protest march.
The incident took place when TMC supporters gathered to submit a memorandum seeking the release of arrested party leaders and activists. As they proceeded towards the police station, they were confronted by BJP workers, leading to a heated face-off.
According to reports, BJP supporters raised anti-TMC slogans and allegedly called the protesters "thieves", further escalating tensions. The situation soon spiralled out of control, prompting the deployment of a large number of local police personnel and central security forces to prevent further violence.
Following the confrontation, a TMC parliamentarian was seen holding a wet handkerchief against his head and later alleged that he had been deliberately targeted and assaulted while exercising his democratic right to protest. He described the incident as an unprovoked attack on peaceful demonstrators heading to submit an official deputation.
Medical examinations later found no serious injuries. Doctors reported only a bruise on his chest and noted that he remained conscious, alert, oriented and able to communicate normally throughout the assessment. Hospitalisation was deemed unnecessary, though he was administered normal saline, Ringer's lactate and pain-relief medication as a precautionary measure.
The latest clash has further intensified the political confrontation between the TMC and BJP in the aftermath of the recent change of government in West Bengal.
The incident came just a day after senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee was attacked in Sonarpur. Banerjee had travelled to the area to meet the family of a TMC worker allegedly affected by post-poll violence. As soon as he stepped out of his vehicle, a crowd of men and women reportedly began chanting "chor, chor" (thief) slogans against him.
The situation quickly turned violent, with members of the mob allegedly pelting eggs and stones. Some individuals also reportedly slapped and punched the Diamond Harbour MP before security personnel intervened and escorted him to safety.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened political tensions in the state, with both the TMC and BJP trading accusations over responsibility for the violence.
- With inputs from agencies
