TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee injured after being attacked with stones during a protest in Hooghly. Security concerns rise amid ongoing political unrest.
CHANDITALA (Kolkata) : In a major escalation of political unrest, Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee sustained injuries on Sunday after being targeted by an agitated crowd during a protest march in Hooghly's Chanditala.
The incident comes less than twenty-four hours after fellow party lawmaker Abhishek Banerjee faced severe public heckling and assault in Sonarpur, marking a turbulent phase of public unrest directed at ruling party representatives across West Bengal.
Tensions Flare as Stones Target TMC Delegation
According to eyewitnesses, a TMC delegation led by MP Kalyan Banerjee was heading towards the Chanditala police station to submit a formal memorandum protesting Saturday’s incident involving Abhishek Banerjee. However, the situation quickly turned volatile as a massive crowd blocked their path.
The demonstrators initialy displayed black flags and raised slogans against the ruling party leadership. The confrontation turned violent when stones and projectiles were hurled at the delegation from the crowd. The Serampore lawmaker was struck on the head by a flying stone and collapsed on the road due to the impact.
Local party workers immediately rushed to his assistance, providing first aid and shielding him from further projectiles amid brief scuffles between party supporters and the angry crowd.
Questions Raised Over Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Following primary medical attention, a visibly shaken Banerjee questioned the state of law and order, expressing deep concern over public safety. "If Members of Parliament are subjected to such violent attacks in broad daylight, where is the safety for the common people? I urge everyone to stand up and protest against this rising lawlessness," the MP said.
Demanding immediate accountability, the injured lawmaker along with hundreds of party supporters staged a sit-in demonstration right outside the Chanditala police station, accusing the local police of maintaining a passive stance during the assault.
Police Response and State-Wide Protests
When senior police officials reached the protest site to defuse the situation, the MP confronted them directly. "Who was behind this targeted attack? Why has no action been taken yet? It was an attempt on my life from behind. Would the administration only act if something fatal had happened to me?" Banerjee questioned.
The law enforcement authorities assured the protesting leadership that a comprehensive probe would be initiated and strict legal actions would be taken against the perpetrators as soon as a formal written complaint was registered.
Meanwhile, the twin incidents have triggered state-wide demonstrations by TMC leadership. Massive protest rallies were organized across several districts, including Chinsurah, where police temporarily detained a former lawmaker, and Asansol, where top district leaders gathered near the Gandhi statue to register their peaceful protest.
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