Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 6: BJP MP Khagen Murmu and party MLA Shankar Ghosh were assaulted by a group of attackers in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, on Monday while they were en route to help people affected by recent landslides and distribute relief. Murmu suffered serious wounds to his face and head; Ghosh escaped with minor bruises.
Video footage from the convoy showed shattered vehicle windows and Murmu covered in blood, with a deep cut on the left side of his face. He was taken straight to a primary health centre for treatment. Witnesses said assailants hurled stones at the vehicles and continued the assault with slippers, sticks and bricks until the leaders’ security detail managed to escort them away.
Speaking from the scene, MLA Shankar Ghosh described the attack and the damage to their cars, saying the MP was severely injured and accusing the situation in the state of “total anarchy.”
The assault drew immediate political fire. Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari blamed the Mamata Banerjee government and the Trinamool Congress, accusing them of allowing—or orchestrating—violence to prevent the BJP from helping flood victims. On social media, Adhikari contrasted the relief efforts by BJP workers with what he called the state government’s indifference amid the crisis.
Union minister of state Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the attack, criticizing the state government’s handling of both the natural disaster and security for elected representatives. He referenced public anger over leaders’ conduct during the floods and landslides and urged accountability.
The violence comes after days of heavy rain that caused landslides in the hills of North Bengal; authorities reported at least 23 deaths from the disaster as of Monday morning. With the weather clearing, rescue and relief operations accelerated and stranded tourists were able to descend from the hills.
The incident has intensified political tensions in the state, with calls for inquiries into both the attack and the adequacy of local security arrangements during the relief operation.