Bengal Bandh: BJP Claims Leader's Car Attacked With Bombs, Bullets, TMC Refutes Charge

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ over police action of Nabanna Abhijan protesters, the saffron party claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers hurled bombs and fired shots at its leader Priyangu Pandey’s car in the Bharpara area of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Pandey alleged that bombs were hurled at his car and then six to seven rounds of firing were done.

What BJP’s Priyangu Pandey Said

“Today I was going to our leader Arjun Singh’s residence. We moved some distance and the road was blocked by a jetting machine from Bhatpara Municipality. The moment our car stopped, around 50-60 people targeted the vehicle. 7 to 8 bombs were thrown at my vehicle and then 6-7 round firing was done. This is a joint conspiracy of TMC and the Police. They planned my murder. The police supported and gave information. My security was withdrawn and then this incident happened,” news agency ANI quoted Pandey as saying.

The BJP leader also mentioned that his driver had been shot at and others sustained wounds. “There are two people who are severely injured among the other seven,” he added.

BJP Shares Visuals, Cops Visit Spot

Later, the BJP shared visuals of the attack on protesters.

Meanwhile, police officials recovered empty bomb shells from near the spot where BJP leader Priyangu Pandey was allegedly attacked.

Speaking on the incident, former BJP MP, Arjun Singh said that there was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey.

“When the leaders of our party were coming, the road was blocked using a jetting machine and a bomb was thrown. Seven rounds of firing took place and all this was done in the presence of the ACP. There was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey. Today the situation is such that those who threw the bomb play gambling outside the ACP office,” he said.

“When the leaders of our party were coming, the road was blocked using a jetting machine and a bomb was thrown. Seven rounds of firing took place and all this was done in the presence of the ACP. There was a plan to kill Priyangu Pandey. Today the situation is such that those who threw the bomb play gambling outside the ACP office,” he said.

The West Bengal police also detained protesting BJP party leaders and workers at Kolkata’s Bata Chowk, including Locket Chatterjee.

WHAT TMC SAID

Earlier in the day, the Trinamool Congress party workers staged a protest against BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call against police crackdown on peaceful protest during ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ – march.

The Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of trying to create anarchy in Bengal.

“We all want justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case. Mamata Banerjee also wants justice…the case is now in CBI’s hands…One accused has been arrested…now the CBI is investigating the matter…They (BJP) are trying to create anarchy here, yesterday they attacked the police and today they have called this bandh…Everything is normal in Bengal…The people of West Bengal have rejected BJP’s bandh,” said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.