Kolkata, February 10 A car carrying the wife of BJP MLA Ashok Kirtania was vandalized by a group of people in Bongaon, West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, on Tuesday, following a scuffle that left one person injured, police said.
Local TMC leaders and the MLA's wife, who escaped unharmed, filed complaints against each other with the police.
A senior police official said that, according to the complaint filed by Moumita Kirtania, a group of people belonging to the Trinamool Congress surrounded the vehicle, and a heated exchange of words ensued between them and the occupants of the car, which was passing through the Gopalnagar locality at a low speed.
The complainant further claimed that the assailants attempted to intimidate them using sticks and vandalized the vehicle. A police force soon rushed to the area and escorted the occupants of the car away from the altercation.
A local Trinamool Congress panchayat member said that villagers had stopped the car, believing that Kirtania was inside, to ask the MLA about the alleged lack of development in the area.
However, as they were allowing the vehicle to leave after realizing that Kirtania was not inside, a youth was suddenly struck by one of the occupants, resulting in injuries to his hand, he claimed.
This infuriated the people present, and some of them damaged the car, although none of those inside were assaulted, the panchayat member said.
The injured youth was taken to the Bongaon Sub-Divisional Hospital, he said.
"We are investigating the incident. The situation is now peaceful and under control. Both sides have filed complaints against each other. We have taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the MLA's family. A case of vandalism and assault has been registered by the police," the official said.