1 week ago
Bhangar Tensions Escalate After Ex-MLA’s Car Attack
Former lawmaker Arabul Islam said attackers threw bricks and two homemade bombs at his car in Bhangar.
The bombs exploded on the road, while a brick broke a car window.
Islam and the other people in the car were not hurt.
He said Indian Secular Front workers attacked him because he had left the party.
Police have not confirmed who carried out the attack or why.
The next day, an ISF party office in the area was set on fire.
The ISF accused Trinamool Congress supporters of starting that fire.
ISF supporters blocked a road, causing traffic problems.
Police are investigating both incidents, and no arrests had been reported.
Former MLA Arabul Islam said bricks and two crude bombs were thrown at his car in Uriapara, Bhangar, on Saturday night.
The bombs exploded on the road and a brick shattered the car’s glass; Islam and the other passengers were not injured.
Islam blamed ISF MLA Nawshad Siddiqui and party workers, alleging the attack followed his resignation from the party.
A day later, an Indian Secular Front party office in Shaksar was reportedly set on fire, with the ISF alleging TMC involvement.
Police are investigating both incidents, examining CCTV footage and reporting no arrests so far.
- Who
- Former MLA Arabul Islam was targeted in the car incident; the ISF and TMC have made opposing allegations about the later office fire.
- What
- Islam’s car was allegedly attacked with bricks and two crude bombs, followed a day later by a fire at a local ISF party office.
- Where
- The car attack occurred near Uriapara Cemetery in Bhangar, under Polerhat police station; the office fire occurred in Shaksar, Bhangar, South 24 Parganas.
- When
- The car attack occurred Saturday night; the ISF office fire was reported early Sunday, the following day.
- Why
- Islam said the car attack was retaliation for leaving the ISF; the motive for the office fire has not been established.
Islam and ISF allegations
Police-confirmed position
Responsibility for car attack
Islam and ISF allegations
Arabul Islam blamed ISF MLA Nawshad Siddiqui and ISF workers, saying he was targeted after leaving the party.
Police-confirmed position
Police have not confirmed who carried out the attack or whether it was connected to Islam’s departure from the ISF.
Responsibility for office fire
Islam and ISF allegations
The ISF alleged that the Trinamool Congress was behind the fire at its local party office, and its supporters blocked the road in protest.
Police-confirmed position
Police said they received a complaint and were investigating who was involved; no official responsibility had been established.
Political dispute and motive
Islam and ISF allegations
Islam accused ISF leaders of dictatorial conduct and some Bhangar workers of mistreating ordinary people; he said the car attack was retaliation for his resignation.
Police-confirmed position
The ISF had not responded to Islam’s allegations in the reports, while police continued investigating the motives and perpetrators of both incidents.
Key facts
- Car attack location
- Uriapara, near Uriapara Cemetery, Bhangar
- Office fire location
- Shaksar area of Bhangar
- Reported weapons
- Bricks and two crude bombs
- Casualties
- No physical injuries were reported in the car attack
- Police jurisdiction
- Kolkata Police, although Bhangar is in South 24 Parganas district
- Investigation
- Police inspected the sites and are examining CCTV footage
- Arrests
- No one had been detained or arrested when the reports were filed
Quotes
Senior officer of Kolkata Police
A senior Kolkata Police officer commenting on the fire investigation
“I haven't been out since morning. I left in the evening. At night, I crossed the cemetery in Uriapara and the car was attacked there. The attack was quite intense. The car was moving at a good speed. If it had slowed down a bit, the driver would have been hurt, and so would I. Bricks were thrown, and bombs were hurled at the car. I left the ISF, and that's why they carried out the attack.”
thestatesman.com
thehansindia.com
“We have received a complaint regarding a party office being set on fire. A police team has reached the spot. Investigation is on.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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