3 weeks ago
Mamata Banerjee Alleges Car Attacked With Stones, Mud, Shoes
Mamata Banerjee is an important leader in India.
She used to be the chief minister of a state called West Bengal.
One Sunday, she was riding in her car to visit a family whose father had died while he was with the police.
A big crowd of angry people surrounded her car.
They threw mud, shoes, stones and water bottles at it and shouted mean words.
Mamata said she could have been badly hurt, or even killed, if her windows had been open.
She was very upset and said the police did not protect her.
The man who died was named Birju Keot.
His wife says the police hurt him, but other people say he died of a heart attack.
Another political group called the BJP said it had nothing to do with the attack, and now the police are investigating what really happened.
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief, alleged that 'anti-social elements' hurled large stones and bricks at her car right in front of police in North 24 Parganas district, saying she 'could have died.'
The attack occurred in Halisahar while Banerjee was on her way to meet the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who allegedly died in police custody on Saturday; protesters surrounded her car shouting 'Chor bhagao,' smearing mud on it and throwing shoes and water bottles.
Keot was arrested on charges including extortion and remanded to five days of police custody by a Barrackpore court on Friday; he fell ill in the lockup and was declared dead at a hospital.
His wife Jenny Sharma alleged he was tortured and beaten to death in custody, but the official explanation is that he succumbed to a heart attack; police have ordered an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage.
The BJP condemned the attack and denied any role, with CM Suvendu Adhikari saying protests reflected 'strong public anger' and Banerjee accusing him of running the state through the police.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen and TMC youth wing leader Upasana Chowdhury.
- What
- An alleged attack on her car with stones, bricks, mud and shoes, and surrounding protests, during her visit to the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who allegedly died in police custody.
- Where
- Halisahar, in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, near Kolkata.
- When
- Sunday, during her visit to Halisahar; Keot was arrested on Friday and his death was reported a day later (Saturday).
- Why
- She was visiting Keot's family over his alleged custodial death; her party blames the BJP-led administration, while the state government says protesters were expressing public anger.
Trinamool Congress
BJP / State Government
Attack on Mamata Banerjee's car
Trinamool Congress
Banerjee alleged the attack was a 'well-planned conspiracy' by the BJP to confine her to her home, claiming large stones were hurled right in front of police who did nothing to protect her and 'give protection only to the BJP.'
BJP / State Government
State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya condemned the attack and said the BJP had no connection to it and does not endorse stone-throwing, while CM Suvendu Adhikari said the protests reflected 'strong public anger' and accused Banerjee of playing politics.
Custodial death of Birju Keot
Trinamool Congress
Keot's wife Jenny Sharma alleged he was tortured and beaten to death in the lock-up, with visible injury marks and bleeding from his ears; Abhishek Banerjee said the question is no longer about law and order but the rule of law itself.
BJP / State Government
The official explanation is that Keot fell ill in Halisahar Police custody and died of a heart attack; police have ordered an investigation and say the exact cause of death is being determined.
Legality of Keot's custody
Trinamool Congress
Abhishek Banerjee alleged Keot was taken into custody despite his name not appearing in the FIR and did not come out alive.
BJP / State Government
A court had remanded Keot to five days of police custody over extortion charges, indicating the arrest was subject to judicial oversight.
Key facts
- Main figure
- Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief
- Alleged incident
- Car attacked with stones, bricks, mud and shoes in North 24 Parganas district
- Location
- Halisahar, West Bengal
- Purpose of visit
- To meet the family of TMC worker Birju Keot, who allegedly died in police custody
- Keot's arrest
- Arrested on extortion-related charges; remanded to five days of police custody by Barrackpore court on Friday
- Family's allegation
- Jenny Sharma alleged her husband was tortured and beaten to death in the lock-up
- Official explanation
- Keot fell ill in Halisahar Police custody and died of a heart attack
- Investigation
- Police have ordered a probe; CCTV footage is being reviewed and the autopsy was videographed
Quotes
State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya
State BJP leader
“Anyone can raise slogans against the former CM or the current CM too. Black flags can be waved in protest, these are all part of democracy. The TMC has done so many atrocities and yet the BJP doesn’t support throwing shoes at a woman and former CM. No BJP supporter can be part of this.”
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“If the windows had been open, my head would have been split open. We could have all been killed. The police are providing protection to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The attack was a well‑planned conspiracy to confine me to my home because the party fears me.”
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Sources
Mamata Banerjee faces ‘Chor’ chant, mud-hurling protest in Kolkata: ‘Could've been killed’; BJP refutes role in ‘attack’
Mamata Banerjee's car attacked in West Bengal while meeting family of TMC worker who died in police custody
Mamata Banerjee’s vehicle attacked with mud, shoes in North 24 Parganas
"Could Have Died": Mamata Banerjee Alleges Attack On Car Near Kolkata
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