Mamata Banerjee investigates reports of BJP violence -people in the neighbourhood, echoed fears of an “atmosphere of BJP terror

Sources said pockets like Balarampur have been replete with incidents of BJP-Trinamul clashes since Suvendu Adhikari’s defection in December

The chief minister Mamata Banerjee's intention to go to Balarampur threw her security detail — headed by director (security) Gyanwant Singh — into a tizzy.: File picture

Devadeep Purohit And Anshuman Phadikar   |  TT  |  Nandigram(Bengal)   |   31.03.21: A wheelchair-bound Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday sprang back into the mould of the firebrand Opposition leader that made her a household name decades ago, taking a 10km journey at the close of another round of gruelling campaigning to investigate reports of violence allegedly perpetrated by the BJP.

On her way out from a rally in East Midnapore’s Tengua, which was slated to be her final political activity in the area before Thursday, an incensed chief minister sat in the front seat of her hatchback.

“I will go.… Let me see who is doing what,” she said, patting the head of a young man crying inconsolably.

Raju Manna, 24, had complained that his father Rabin was grievously injured and currently admitted to a government hospital in Calcutta. Rabin was allegedly beaten up by a group of BJP supporters outside his house in Balarampur last Friday, apparently because he is sympathetic to Trinamul.

Sources said pockets like Balarampur, underdeveloped and located far from concrete roads, have been replete with reports of BJP-Trinamul clashes since Suvendu Adhikari’s defection in December.

“What is happening over here? A youth is terrorised and cannot live in his own home, with his own family, just because the BJP has managed to scare everyone else in the area? This cannot go on,” the chief minister said after hearing out Raju and as the convoy began to pull away around 5.30pm with the youth in the back.

The chief minister’s intention to go to Balarampur threw her security detail — headed by director (security) Gyanwant Singh — into a tizzy. “The road to Balarampur is a 10km stretch paved in mud. The road is also filled with ditches, making the journey an arduous one. Not to mention the security angle of driving through the forests after dark,” said a source.

Once the convoy reached Balarampur, Mamata made her way to the Mannas’ home where family members, including Raju’s mother, grandfather and sister, fell at the chief minister’s feet.

They said their lives had “become hell”.

“The BJP has been giving us all kinds of threats. We are helpless, and on Friday, they beat my husband almost to death. He is in hospital now,” said Lakshmi Manna, Raju’s mother.

“On Friday midnight, 20 BJP goons came to our door and asked for our father, a known Trinamul supporter. They threatened him and immediately beat him senseless,” added Raju.

Central forces were reportedly called later that night. Rabin was taken to a government hospital in Calcutta.

The chief minister assured them of medical help and security against further attacks.

Family patriarch Manoranjan appealed to Mamata to be allowed to vote, saying the family “had been cautioned against leaving the home”.

Addressing reporters, Mamata said: “The BJP does not believe in democracy. So, they have taken to the path of violence. I have said innumerable times that the area is full of outsiders who are doing these things.”

Mamata left the area after spending almost an hour with people in the neighbourhood, who echoed fears of an “atmosphere of BJP terror”.