3 weeks ago
Mamata Banerjee faces protest, mud and 'chor' slogans in Halisahar
Mamata Banerjee used to lead a place in India called West Bengal.
She went to a town called Halisahar to visit a family whose relative died while the police were holding him.
A crowd of angry people surrounded her car, shouted mean words and threw mud, shoes and stones at it.
Banerjee said the attack was a secret plan against her and that the police did not protect her even though she told them she was coming.
The new leader, Suvendu Adhikari, said the people were angry with Banerjee and that his political party had nothing to do with the attack.
He also asked why she did not visit the family of a young woman known as 'Abhaya' who was hurt and killed two years ago.
The man who died in police custody had been arrested for serious money-related charges, and his wife says the police hurt him.
The police have not answered the wife's accusation yet.
This event made the fight between the two big political groups in West Bengal even more tense.
Mamata Banerjee faced a hostile reception in Halisahar, where protesters surrounded her car, shouted 'chor' slogans and hurled mud, slippers and stones.
Banerjee alleged the attack was a conspiracy and accused police, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, of failing to provide security despite being informed of her visit.
Adhikari and BJP leaders called the protest 'strong public anger' against Banerjee and denied any BJP involvement in the attack.
Banerjee was visiting the family of Birju Keot, a TMC worker arrested on extortion charges who died in police custody on Saturday.
Adhikari questioned why Banerjee did not visit the family of RG Kar rape-murder victim 'Abhaya' on the second anniversary of her death.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister, accompanied by TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Dola Sen; West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP leaders responded.
- What
- Protesters surrounded Banerjee's vehicle, shouted 'chor' slogans and hurled mud, slippers and stones when she went to meet a deceased TMC worker's family.
- Where
- Halisahar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
- When
- Sunday, August 9.
- Why
- Banerjee went to meet the family of Birju Keot, a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody; the BJP called the protest public anger while Banerjee called it a conspiracy.
TMC: Political conspiracy and police failure
BJP: Public anger against Banerjee
Cause of the Halisahar protest
TMC: Political conspiracy and police failure
Banerjee called the stone, mud and shoe attack a 'conspiracy', claiming police protected 'lumpens' and the BJP despite being informed of her visit.
BJP: Public anger against Banerjee
Adhikari and senior BJP leaders called the protest 'strong public anger' against Banerjee, saying she would hear 'thief' slogans after 'committing so much theft', and denied BJP involvement.
Purpose of Banerjee's visit
TMC: Political conspiracy and police failure
Banerjee visited to meet the family of Birju Keot, who allegedly died in police custody, and claimed the family was being threatened by BJP supporters.
BJP: Public anger against Banerjee
BJP leaders said the visit was uninvited and aimed at political mileage from Keot's death; Adhikari said the family was satisfied with the police and asked why she had not visited 'Abhaya's' family instead.
Custodial death of Birju Keot
TMC: Political conspiracy and police failure
Keot's wife alleged he was beaten inside the lock-up and died as a result of police assault, with no immediate police response to the allegation.
BJP: Public anger against Banerjee
Adhikari said the family was satisfied with the police and administration, and BJP MLA Sudipta Das offered legal assistance to the family over the alleged custodial death.
Key facts
- Former West Bengal Chief Minister
- Mamata Banerjee
- West Bengal Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari
- Location
- Halisahar, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
- Date
- Sunday, August 9
- Deceased TMC worker
- Birju Keot
- Arrested for
- Extortion and other charges
- Police remand
- Five days, ordered on Friday
- Death reported
- In custody on Saturday
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
BJP state president
“"We condemn the incident and, if such an incident has taken place, the police under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will immediately take action against those responsible."”
theprint.in
“"My car has been attacked with stones, shoes and mud. This is nothing but a conspiracy."”
theprint.in










