West Bengal: Three ‘gunned down’ in TMC MLA’s vehicle

The incident occurred shortly after Biswanath Das, the MLA, disembarked from the vehicle at a party office nearby.

People gunned down, MLA Biswanath Das, associate of MLA gunned down, jaynagar MLA attacked, Kolkata police, Indian Express

Police retrieved the damaged vehicle. (Source: Express Photo)

Three people, including a driver and an associate of Trinamool Congress MLA Biswanath Das, were gunned down after unidentified persons opened fire on his vehicle in Baruipur on Thursday evening, said police sources.

Sources said the MLA, who commuted between several programmes that day using the same vehicle, had disembarked at the local TMC office “minutes before the attack”.

His driver and the two others had driven on to a nearby petrol pump, where a group blocked the vehicle and started hurling bombs. They also fired bullets at the SUV for around five minutes before fleeing the spots.

“Three persons died on spot including my driver Babu Molla and associate Safiuddin Khan. It was clearly a planned attack and I was the target. I had a narrow escape because I suddenly changed my mind and got down at the party office. I have already spoken to my party leaders and police. It is too early to say who is behind the attack,” Das, the MLA of Jaynagar, told The Indian Express.

TMC sources said Khan too was a member of the party. “The incident took place at around 7.30 pm. We are on the spot and investigating,” said a police officer.

Following this, senior police officers reached the spot and the bodies were taken to a nearby hospital for postmortem.

A heavy police force has been deployed in the area, said sources. CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty lashed out at the TMC over “the new shootout culture” in the state.

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“Jaynagar people are living in fear. The shootout culture is new in Bengal and such incidents are taking place daily in some or the other district… There is no safety and security of life under this government. Their own supporters are not safe. Only the chief minister and few of her confidants are safe. This incident is the fallout of a TMC factional feud,” he said.

Denying the allegation, TMC district president Subhasish Chakraborty said, “The CPM says a lot of things. It is an unfortunate incident, but under their (CPM’s) regime, the situation was much more. Let the police investigate and the law will take its own course.”

Sweety Kumari

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

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