13 hrs ago
Six arrested after Abhishek Banerjee office vandalism, political link unconfirmed
Six men were arrested after a political office in Kolkata was damaged.
The office belongs to Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress.
Police said the men came from nearby Howrah and that some reportedly stolen items were recovered.
Police have not found a political connection to the suspects yet.
Banerjee said people connected to the BJP attacked the office.
He also said the police did not respond quickly enough.
Police disagreed and said officers arrived soon after receiving a call.
The BJP said the incident was staged by the Trinamool Congress.
Kolkata Police arrested six men from Howrah over the vandalism of Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office.
Police said they have not found evidence of political affiliation among the suspects so far.
Banerjee accused BJP-linked attackers of assault, theft and property damage, and questioned the police response.
Police said officers reached the office around 6 a.m. after receiving information and arrested the six men there.
The BJP called the incident staged, while the office was already facing scrutiny over alleged illegal hoardings and safety lapses.
- Who
- Kolkata Police arrested Shankar Rao, Avinash Shaw, Sukhdev Gupta, Suraj Shaw, Amol Mondal and Rohit Borik; Abhishek Banerjee alleged BJP involvement.
- What
- Abhishek Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress office was vandalised, and some items were allegedly looted.
- Where
- The Camac Street office in Kolkata, West Bengal; the suspects are from neighbouring Howrah.
- When
- In the early hours of Thursday, with police receiving information shortly before 6 a.m.
- Why
- The motive remains under investigation; police said they had not established a political affiliation for the suspects.
Trinamool Congress allegations
Police and BJP responses
Who was responsible
Trinamool Congress allegations
Abhishek Banerjee said BJP hooligans carried out the attack and demanded investigation into who planned and directed it.
Police and BJP responses
The BJP denied involvement and called the vandalism staged; police said no political affiliation had been established among the arrested men so far.
Police response
Trinamool Congress allegations
Banerjee said police failed to respond for nearly two hours despite repeated calls and emails.
Police and BJP responses
Kolkata Police said a team reached the office immediately after receiving information, around 6 a.m., and arrested six people at the spot.
Meaning of the incident
Trinamool Congress allegations
Banerjee and Mamata Banerjee described the incident as evidence of violence, intimidation and lawlessness in West Bengal.
Police and BJP responses
BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh said the Trinamool Congress staged the incident to remain in the limelight.
Key facts
- Arrests
- Six men were arrested from the office premises, according to Kolkata Police.
- Suspects’ origin
- All six arrested men are from neighbouring Howrah.
- Police finding
- Police said no political background or affiliation had emerged so far.
- Recovered property
- Police said some looted items were recovered from the suspects.
- Banerjee’s allegation
- Abhishek Banerjee accused BJP-linked men of attacking people and vandalising the office.
- Police account
- Police said a local team reached the office around 6 a.m. after receiving information.
- Related office scrutiny
- The office was previously the subject of action over alleged illegal hoardings and alleged fire-safety lapses.
Quotes
Abhishek Banerjee
TMC general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP
“This is all staged by the Trinamool Congress. The BJP is not involved in all this. They have no (political) issue; that’s why they are doing all this to stay in the limelight.”
indianexpress.com
“BJP hooligans… They attacked our people, snatched their phones, smashed furniture, ransacked the premises and destroyed electronic equipment.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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