Kolkata: West Bengal plunged into a spiral of violence following the BJP’s decisive victory over Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress stronghold. At least two people have been killed in two days of post-poll violence, with multiple TMC offices vandalised across the city.
The first fatality occurred on Monday night in Beleghata, where one Biswajit Pattanayak, 45, a chef at a café on James Long Sarani, was found severely injured. He was initially rushed to NRS Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to a private medical facility, where he was declared dead. His sister, Piyali, alleged that BJP supporters from the neighbourhood called him out and attacked him. Police have filed a cas
e against unidentified persons, with the post-mortem report awaited as of Tuesday night, as reported by DNA.
The second death was reported on Tuesday in New Town, where BJP workers claimed that party member Madhu Mandal was beaten to death by TMC activists. According to police, Mandal sustained a chest injury, fell, and later died. BJP sources pointed to TMC leader Kamal Mandal as the main suspect. Raids are underway to apprehend him, as reported by the Telegraph.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has served a strong directive to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Central Armed Police Forces, insisting on ‘zero tolerance’ for any post-poll violence across the state.
In another incident in Howrah’s Dumurjala area, a TMC office was ransacked, with visuals showing shattered windows, ripped posters, overturned furniture, and the party flag strewn across the street.
Violence also erupted in Cooch Behar, where Bishu Dhar, TMC president of Dinhata Town Block, was reportedly assaulted by BJP workers and supporters outside the counting centre.