8 months ago
Clash Over Electoral Roll in Thakurnagar
There was a fight between two groups of the Matua community in Thakurnagar.
One group, led by a BJP minister named Shantanu Thakur, and another group led by his aunt, a Trinamool Congress member named Mamatabala Thakur.
The fight started because some people were upset about a statement Shantanu made.
He said that many Matua members might be left out of the voter list.
The other group wanted to ask him about this, but when they went to his house, a fight broke out.
Four people got hurt.
Both sides blame each other for starting the fight.
The police did not stop the fight because they need special orders to do so.
The fight happened because of worries about who can vote in the next elections.
Four Matua devotees were injured in a clash between rival factions of the All India Matua Mahasangha in Thakurnagar.
The dispute arose over Shantanu Thakur's remarks about potential exclusion of Matua members from the electoral roll.
Mamatabala Thakur's group accused Shantanu's faction of attacking innocent devotees seeking clarification.
Shantanu Thakur dismissed the allegations, claiming Mamatabala sent hooligans to attack his residence.
Police did not intervene in the clash without specific administrative orders.
- Who
- Factions of the All India Matua Mahasangha led by Shantanu Thakur (BJP) and Mamatabala Thakur (Trinamool Congress)
- What
- Clash between rival factions over electoral roll dispute
- Where
- Thakurnagar, North 24-Parganas
- When
- Wednesday afternoon
- Why
- Dispute over potential exclusion of Matua members from the electoral roll
Key facts
- Location
- Thakurnagar, North 24-Parganas
- Injured
- 4 Matua devotees
- Groups Involved
- All India Matua Mahasangha factions led by Shantanu Thakur and Mamatabala Thakur
- Issue
- Dispute over potential exclusion of Matua members from electoral roll
- Allegations
- Mamatabala claims Shantanu's group attacked innocent devotees; Shantanu claims Mamatabala sent hooligans
- Police Response
- Did not intervene without administrative orders
- Political Parties
- BJP (Shantanu Thakur) and Trinamool Congress (Mamatabala Thakur)
- Controversial Statement
- Shantanu Thakur's remark about excluding 1 lakh Matua members from voting
- Prime Minister's Commitment
- Narendra Modi's promise to Matua and Namasudra communities
Timeline
Moitra's past remarks, feud with Banerjee, set stage.
Moitra's offensive Matua remarks on Aug 28 sparked tensions.
Tensions rose between Matua groups, parties over remarks.
BJP, Trinamool Matua groups clashed over rolls, citizenship promises.
Fight in Thakurnagar injured four, sparked by electoral roll concerns.
Quotes
Biplab Sarkar
An injured member of the Sarkar family
“They eloped to marry, after which ties between the two families soured.”
telegraphindia.com
“He was killed by members of the Sikdar family. They also killed my nephew Jadav and injured us”
telegraphindia.com
Suvendu Adhikari
Leader of the Opposition
“The attack was planned by Trinamool workers on our workers, and two people have lost their lives.”
telegraphindia.com
“The police are trying to hush it up by calling it a family dispute. We want them to arrest all those named in the complaint. Our party will extend all support to the family.”
telegraphindia.com
Sandeep Karra
District police chief of Cooch Behar
“The clash occurred due to a domestic dispute. Two people were declared dead after being brought to the hospital. Six people have been arrested so far.”
telegraphindia.com
Girindranath Barman
Cooch Behar district Trinamool chief
“playing politics over a domestic row”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
‘Will I be pushed out?’: Matuas, key to BJP’s Bengal fortunes, turn to CAA amid rising anxiety over SIR
Unrest at Thakurbari, Mamata Bala loyalists assaulted
High number of ‘untraceable voters’ in Matua-dominated Assembly seats
Union minister of state Shantanu Thakur's close aide arrested for Matua violence
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari sees 'TMC hand' Mathabhanga in clash deaths
‘Assembly poll strategy, SIR’ on agenda as Amit Shah to visit Bengal, hold internal BJP meetings
4 injured in Matua factional feud over electoral roll dispute in Thakurnagar - Telegraph India
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