BJP Legislator Attacked While Distributing Flood Relief in West Bengal: Political Tensions Rise

Manoj Oraon claimed that he and his team were prevented from distributing relief materials to flood victims.

Kolkata:

BJP legislator Manoj Kumar Oraon from Kumargram constituency in West Bengal's Alipurduar district was reportedly attacked by Trinamool Congress activists on Tuesday while attempting to distribute relief materials to flood-affected residents in his constituency.

This incident occurred just one day after another attack on BJP officials - Lok Sabha member Khagen Murmu and Chief Whip Shankar Ghosh - whose vehicle was assaulted on Monday afternoon at Bamundanga in neighboring Jalpaiguri district as they transported flood relief supplies to Nagrakata.

In the earlier incident, also allegedly perpetrated by Trinamool Congress supporters, Khagen Murmu sustained severe injuries while Ghosh received minor injuries. Both officials are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Siliguri, Darjeeling district.

In a statement to the media, Oraon alleged that a group of Trinamool Congress activists blocked him and his associates from distributing relief materials to flood victims. The BJP leader reported that two vehicles belonging to his team were vandalized during the confrontation.

Oraon further claimed that his security personnel were attacked, with attempts made to seize their firearms. "Many of our BJP supporters, including three women, were injured in the attack. They suffered head injuries from stones thrown by ruling party operatives. They are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital," Oraon added.

Responding to these allegations, Trinamool Congress's Alipurduar District President Prakash Chik Baraik characterized the incident differently, describing it as a spontaneous demonstration by local residents frustrated by Oraon's prolonged absence from the area.

"The local BJP legislator remains absent from the area throughout the year. He appeared solely for publicity purposes with the upcoming Assembly elections in mind. Consequently, he faced spontaneous protests from local residents," Baraik stated.

Oraon countered this narrative, saying, "Ruling party leaders have developed a pattern of justifying attacks on elected BJP representatives by characterizing them as spontaneous public protests. They employed the same tactic regarding the attack on Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh."