A micro observer was allegedly slapped and punched in Kumarganj in Dakshin Dinajpur on Saturday evening, while he was visiting the area as part of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) related work.
According to local sources, the micro observer, identified as Dibyendu Gorai, was allegedly attacked by unknown miscreants, police said.
Gorai was rescued by the locals in the area and taken to the Block Development Officer’s (BDO) office.
While the police arrived at the scene shortly after, neither the police nor the administration officially confirmed the physical assault.
A video of the alleged attack has since gone viral on social media.
The incident has led to significant unrest in the area, with the police launching an investigation into the matter.
Security has been beefed up at the Kumarganj BDO office, and combat forces have been deployed.
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District Superintendent of Police Chinmoy Mitta assured a thorough investigation.
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters of carrying out the attack, claiming it was a direct assault on democracy.
Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar strongly condemned the incident on social media, stating that TMC-backed miscreants carried out the attack out of fear of defeat.
“The incident is a direct assault on democracy. We demand the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those involved,” he said.
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“BLOs are close to TMC and in many cases it has been noticed that due to typing of BLO names have emerged differently…there are many BLOs who have got jobs using their TMC source. Despite that in Bengal only 54 lakhs will be deleted whereas in UP it is more than 2 crore. The incident is carried out by TMC backed miscreants,” Majumdar said.
The TMC, however, has dismissed the BJP’s allegations, with local leader Subhash Chaki claiming that the party was not involved in the incident and alleging that the public reacted due to the micro-observer’s own behavior.
“Whatever it is, slapping someone cannot be justified. But I have only one question: in 13 states SIR is being held but only Bengal has a micro observer. In the name of micro observers and logical discrepancies people of Bengal are being harassed.. people here are not fools,” said TMC spokesperson Aroop Chakraborty.
Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats.
Experience & Authority
Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal.
Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness.
Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics.
Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism.
Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage.
Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement.
Education
Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills.
Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College.
Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting.
Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region.
Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More