Trinamool alleges 'alliance' between BJP and NIA; anti-terror agency responds

PTC News Desk: A recent assault on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has sparked a political dispute between West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Trinamool has asserted a purported collaboration between the BJP and NIA, accusing the latter of orchestrating arrests of its leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections.

In response, the NIA has rebuffed these assertions, labelling the attack, which occurred during a raid on April 6 in the Bhupatinagar area of Bengal, as "completely unprovoked."

Amidst the escalating tensions, Bengal Police have initiated legal action, registering a First Information Report (FIR) against NIA officials for alleged misconduct during the raid. The complaint was filed by the wife of a detained Trinamool Congress leader, alleging molestation by the anti-terror agency's personnel.

Recent developments in NIA team attack in Bengal:

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made significant strides in its investigation into the 2022 Bhupatinagar bomb blast by arresting two individuals, Manobroto Jana and Bailicharan Maity. However, the arrest operation was marred by controversy when Moni Jana, the wife of Manobroto Jana, accused NIA officers of misconduct during a raid on their residence. Moni Jana alleged that the officers attempted to assault her and vandalised their home during the operation.

In response to the incident, the NIA filed a complaint with the local police regarding the attack, invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Despite these legal actions, no arrests have been made in connection with the assault on the NIA team.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seized the opportunity to criticise the Trinamool Congress, accusing the party of undermining the Constitution and harboring corrupt leaders. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of Bengal and Trinamool Congress chief, countered these allegations by accusing central agencies, including the NIA, of acting as pawns for the BJP's political agenda. She condemned the alleged unauthorised raids conducted by these agencies, citing concerns for citizens' safety and privacy.

Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress's general secretary, went a step further by insinuating collusion between the NIA and the BJP. He alleged that a senior Bengal BJP leader facilitated the compilation of a list of Trinamool Congress leaders to be targeted for arrest. These accusations intensified the political friction between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP.

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In response to the allegations, the NIA released a statement defending the integrity of its operations, asserting that the April 6 raid was conducted lawfully and without malintent. The agency denounced the attack on its personnel as unwarranted and unprovoked, emphasising the legality of its actions.

The exchange of accusations continued, with Abhishek Banerjee challenging BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari regarding an alleged meeting with an NIA Superintendent after the announcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha Polls. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari dismissed Mamata Banerjee's allegations as an attempt to incite violence against central agencies and reiterated his trust in the NIA's professionalism.

Despite the political bickering, the NIA remains focused on its investigation into the Bhupatinagar bomb blast, underscoring the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all parties involved.

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(Inputs from agencies)

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