Union minister Nisith Pramanik’s convoy attacked in Cooch Behar; ‘go back’ slogans greet Bengal BJP chief

#WATCH | West Bengal: The convoy of Nisith Pramanik, MoS Home & Youth Affairs and Sports was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress-backed goons when he was going to meet with the party workers in Coochbehar’s Dinhata area. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/eXWqt7U2K9

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2023

While Pramanik escaped unhurt, window panes of his vehicle were damaged, as were those of some accompanying vehicles. Pramanik was also shown black flags.

Pramanik said the incident reflected the law and order situation in the state. “The TMC workers with the help of the police are targeting us. The police, instead of stopping the attackers, are shielding the real culprits. Today, my vehicle was attacked. Tomorrow, someone else might be targeted. We will take up this matter with the central government,” he said.

And BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar was greeted by “go back” slogans by TMC workers at Sagardighi in Murshidabad district, where he was campaigning for the upcoming Assembly bypoll. The situation, however, did not get out of control.

“This is the culture that the TMC is trying to establish in Bengal. They want to intimidate the Opposition by orchestrating such attacks. MPs, MLAs and Union ministers have no security. Only the TMC leaders are safe here. We strongly condemn this culture of violence,” Majumdar said.

The TMC, however, attributed the attacks to “people’s anger” against the Centre’s “stepmotherly” attitude towards the state as well as alleged excesses by the Border Security Force.

“The Centre is not sending funds for development projects. The BJP is busy dividing people along the religious lines. The BSF is torturing people in border areas. People are angry at the Centre over these issues and expressing their anger through protests. Now we will take note of what exactly happened in Cooch Behar and act accordingly. But the BJP has no moral right to target us. It must first take action against its leaders who have been named in CBI FIRs,” said TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh.