Tensions escalated in Nandigram, West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district, following an incident where a female BJP worker was killed and seven others sustained injuries in an attack on Wednesday night, just days ahead of the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

In response, the BJP initiated street protests, setting fire to shops and barricading roads with trees that were then set ablaze. Security measures were heightened, with the deployment of Rapid Action Force and central forces, in addition to the local police. According to police sources, no arrests have been made thus far.

The incident triggered a blame game, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the attack, while the ruling party denied the allegations, attributing the violence to internal discord within the local BJP ranks.

The incident occurred in the Sonachura area, resulting in the death of Rathibala Adi, according to a senior police official. One of the injured individuals is in critical condition and has been transferred to Kolkata for further treatment, as per local sources. Reports indicate that the critically injured victim is the son of the deceased BJP worker.

According to sources, BJP supporters were guarding the Mansapukur market area of Sonachuda during the final stage of the election campaign on Wednesday night when they were allegedly attacked by a group of bike-borne men wielding sharp weapons. Rathibala Adi, one of the BJP workers, was fatally wounded in the attack, and her son Sanjay Adri sustained serious injuries while attempting to intervene.

The assailants fled the scene when nearby villagers responded to the workers' cries for help. The injured BJP workers were promptly taken to Nandigram Super Specialty Hospital, where Rathibala Adi was pronounced dead. Sanjay Adri's condition worsened, prompting his transfer to Kolkata for further treatment.

BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari accused the TMC of orchestrating the "barbaric murder" and labelled the perpetrators as "jihadists," a claim denied by the TMC. Adhikari alleged that the attack occurred while BJP workers were guarding a booth in the Mansabazar area of Sonachura in Nandigram.

He asserted that the incident was a pre-planned act by the TMC to ensure defeat for the BJP. In response, TMC leader Santanu Sen attributed the incident to infighting within the BJP in Nandigram, dismissing claims of TMC involvement. He stated that efforts were underway to identify the culprits, emphasising that anyone found guilty would face legal consequences.

BJP Leader Suvendhu Adhikari accused the TMC of orchestrating the "barbaric murder" and labelled the perpetrators as "jihadists," while the TMC denied the allegations, attributing the incident to internal BJP conflicts.

Adhikari claimed that BJP workers were attacked while guarding a booth in Sonachura, resulting in the death of Rathibala Adi and injuries to seven others. In response, TMC leader Santanu Sen stated that the incident was a result of BJP infighting in Nandigram and accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish the TMC's image ahead of the elections.

The incident occurred shortly after TMC's Abhishek Banerjee targeted Adhikari in a meeting, alleging fraud in the 2021 Nandigram election. Adhikari, in response, accused Banerjee of instigating the violence and named him in the FIR.

TMC leader Sheikh Sufian dismissed the BJP's claims, attributing the incident to a conflict between factions within the BJP. Nandigram, part of the Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency, is set for polls on Saturday, with TMC's Debangshu Bhattacharya facing BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

Image source: Indian Express