15 hrs ago
Nandigram Shop Torched After Bypoll; Family Alleges BJP Involvement
After a by-election in Nandigram, a garments shop belonging to Sk Saiyam’s family was damaged and set on fire.
Saiyam’s son said people linked to the BJP were responsible.
The family filed a complaint naming more than a dozen BJP functionaries.
Saiyam said police had told him to leave the area during the election.
He denied trying to influence voters and said he and his family did not vote.
A local BJP leader denied that the party was involved.
The Congress candidate also criticised the polling, calling it a “farce.”
The accounts of who was responsible for the shop attack remain disputed.
Sk Saiyam’s son said alleged BJP workers vandalised and set fire to his garments shop in Garchakraberia, Nandigram, on Tuesday evening.
Saiyam said police had asked him to leave Nandigram during the by-election and accused him of influencing voters for Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Saiyam denied influencing voters and said he and his family did not vote.
Saiyam’s son, Sk Murselim, filed a complaint with the Election Commission naming more than a dozen BJP functionaries.
BJP leader Meghnath Pal denied the party was involved, while Congress candidate Pradhan called the polling a “farce.”
- Who
- Sk Saiyam’s family alleges that BJP workers attacked the shop; BJP leader Meghnath Pal denies party involvement.
- What
- A garments shop belonging to Saiyam’s son was allegedly vandalised and set on fire.
- Where
- Garchakraberia, Nandigram, East Midnapore, West Bengal.
- When
- Tuesday evening, after the Nandigram by-election.
- Why
- The article does not establish a motive; Saiyam said he had been accused of influencing voters, which he denied.
Family’s allegations
BJP’s response
Responsibility for the shop attack
Family’s allegations
Saiyam alleged BJP workers broke the shop shutters, vandalised the garments and set them on fire. His son’s complaint named more than a dozen BJP functionaries.
BJP’s response
BJP Nandigram leader Meghnath Pal denied the party’s involvement and said the incident could have stemmed from personal disputes.
Alleged voter influence
Family’s allegations
Saiyam said he did not influence voters and that he and his family did not vote.
BJP’s response
According to Saiyam, a police officer accused him of influencing voters by telephone; the article does not provide a separate police response.
Key facts
- Shop owner
- Sk Murselim, Saiyam’s son
- Incident location
- Garchakraberia, Nandigram, East Midnapore
- Incident timing
- Tuesday evening after polling
- Complaint
- Murselim lodged a written complaint with the Election Commission
- Named in complaint
- More than a dozen BJP functionaries, according to the report
- BJP response
- Nandigram leader Meghnath Pal denied the party’s involvement
- Saiyam’s account
- He said police asked him to leave the constituency and denied influencing voters
Quotes
Meghnath Pal
BJP Nandigram leader
“We had brought goods worth several lakhs because sales are usually high ahead of Durga Puja. BJP workers broke the shutters, vandalised the shop and destroyed the garments before setting them on fire.”
telegraphindia.com
“Elections were held peacefully in Nandigram. We do not know who did what because of personal disputes. The BJP has nothing to do with it.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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