Kolkata, February 22 – The Trinamool Congress has alleged that its party workers were attacked by activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) in the Polerhat area of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, according to police reports on Sunday.
The Trinamool Congress claimed that the incident occurred when they were holding a meeting in the area on Friday night.
Two leaders of the Trinamool Congress were reportedly injured in the attack and were taken to Jirengacha Rural Hospital.
Doctors stated that the condition of the injured is being monitored.
According to local sources, the Trinamool Congress had organized a meeting in that area to strengthen the organization ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. During this meeting, a group of individuals suddenly entered the venue and started arguing, leading to a scuffle.
It is alleged that the attack was carried out by ISF activists using sticks.
The car of Trinamool leader Khairul Islam was vandalized during the clash. A large contingent of the Kolkata Police arrived at the scene after receiving information.
On the other hand, after receiving news of the incident, Saokat Molla, the MLA representing the Canning Purba Assembly constituency and the Trinamool observer for Bhangar, quickly reached the spot. He visited the hospital and met with the injured workers.
It is alleged that his car was also attacked. Saokat Molla claimed that a single bullet was fired.
"The attack was carried out with the help of ISF MLA Nawsad Siddiqui. We demand a thorough investigation into the attack," said Molla.
However, Nawsad Siddiqui, the ISF MLA of the Bhangar Assembly constituency, refuted this allegation. He claimed, "The person making this allegation is the one who attacked our workers in the area. He is trying to disrupt the peace in the area ahead of the elections."
He further demanded an impartial investigation into this incident.
A large police force has been deployed in various parts of Bhangar since Saturday night. So far, no one has been detained or arrested in connection with these two incidents. The police are investigating the matter and monitoring the situation.
It is worth noting that Siddiqui is the only ISF MLA in the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
In the 2021 state Assembly elections, the ISF contested in alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Indian National Congress. While both the Left and Congress failed to win any seats, the ISF won only one.
Siddiqui had won the election from the Bhangar Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district. This was the only Assembly seat in the 31-member South 24 Parganas district that the Trinamool Congress lost in 2021. Since then, there have been frequent clashes between TMC and ISF workers in the Bhangar area to gain control of the constituency.