BJP's Bengal Bandh Sparks Violent Clashes and Allegations of Conspiracy

During the BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh,' clashes erupted as TMC workers allegedly targeted BJP leaders. Multiple incidents of violence were reported, including an attack on MP Jayanta Kumar Roy's car. Two individuals were hospitalized with bullet injuries amid escalating tensions between the parties.

Amid the BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh,' the car of the party's Jalpaiguri MP Jayanta Kumar Roy was allegedly surrounded by TMC workers in Siliguri on Wednesday. The Bandh aimed to protest the purported police crackdown during the 'Nabanna Abhijan' march to the state secretariat in Kolkata on Tuesday.

A stone was reportedly thrown at Roy's car, prompting his departure from the scene while police personnel were present. In another incident earlier on Wednesday, clashes in Bhatpara, North 24 Parganas district, resulted in two individuals being hospitalized with bullet injuries to the head.

The injured were admitted around 11:30 am, with doctors closely monitoring their condition in the ICU. A Manipal Hospital official stated, 'Two persons with bullet injuries to the head were admitted following political clashes in Bhatpara today. Their condition is being assessed by doctors.'

This follows allegations from BJP leader Priyangu Pandey that TMC members attacked and fired at his car in Bhatpara. Pandey claimed bombs were thrown and 6-7 rounds of gunfire were aimed at his vehicle, accusing both TMC and the police of conspiring to murder him.

Pandey stated, 'I was en route to Arjun Singh's residence when we were ambushed by a mob. Bombs and gunfire targeted my vehicle. The police were complicit and withdrew my security before the attack.' He also mentioned his driver was shot.

Former BJP MP Arjun Singh supported Pandey's claims, suggesting a plot to kill him. Concurrently, West Bengal police detained protesting BJP workers in Kolkata's Bata Chowk. Earlier, TMC workers protested against the BJP's Bandh, accusing them of creating chaos in Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies.)