Clashes at Baduria, Basirhat: 65-year-old first casualty of violence

“Ghosh was critically injured and did not respond to treatment. He died at 8.07 am today. We have sent the body for autopsy,” said a hospital official. “He needed to have 16 stitches when he was brought here. He had injuries on the left hand, too. The exact cause of death can only be ascertained after autopsy,” said the official. Ghosh’s family members described him as “a small businessman who used to sell chicken and grocery items”. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Contacted by The Indian Express, IGP (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma, said, “The situation in Basirhat is under control now. I have no confirmation of any death due to clashes there and until I get that, I cannot comment.”

Ghosh’s death, meanwhile, has sparked a political tussle, with the BJP claiming that he was a party worker — the claim was denied by his family. At R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, BJP leaders, including state chief Dilip Ghosh and Locket Chatterjee, were prevented by Trinamool workers from meeting the victim’s family. “Our party member lost his life in the communal flare-up in Basirhat. We came to meet him. We wanted to support the family, but a few people in the premises stopped us. They were all raising TMC slogans. We were not allowed to meet the family,” said Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP national general secretary.

“TMC workers blocked our vehicle in the presence of police. One of our workers was dragged inside the hospital and beaten up. I was abused,” alleged Ghosh. The BJP has decided to send a team of three MPs — Meenakshi Lekhi, Satpal Singh and Om Mathur — to Basirhat on Friday, who will submit a detailed report to party president Amit Shah. “The BJP is creating tension everywhere. Now, they say the deceased man was their worker. What was he doing there? It shows that the BJP has a hand in creating trouble in the area,” alleged Partha Chatterjee, state Education Minister.