Local Trinamul leader's house in Dinhata attacked by goons after Lok Sabha elections held in district

Sukumar Mali, the Trinamool leader in Tiyadaha village under Sahebganj police station of the subdivision, accused the BJP of the attack, BJP, however, has denied charges

The house of Trinamool worker Sukumar Mali at Tiyadaha village in Dinhata subdivision of Cooch Behar ransacked on Friday night: Picture by Main Uddin Chisti

TT, Cooch Behar, 21.04.24 :  The house of a local Trinamool leader in Dinhata subdivision of Cooch Behar was attacked by goons on Friday night, after the Lok Sabha elections were held in the district.

Sukumar Mali, the Trinamool leader in Tiyadaha village under Sahebganj police station of the subdivision, accused the BJP of the attack. The BJP, however, has denied the charges.

Hema, his wife, said that around 11pm, she was at home with their children and father-in-law.

“My husband was not at home. Suddenly, a group of youths started pelting stones at our house. I panicked and ran away with my children to a neighbour’s place,” she said.

As Nibaran, Sukumar’s father, came outside, the attackers slashed him with sharp weapons. He is hospitalised.

“The attackers ransacked the house and took away gold and cash,” said Hema.

Violence-prone Cooch Behar saw stray instances during the polls on Friday. In earlier polls, too, post-poll violence was reported from Cooch Behar.

As the news spread, district Trinamool leaders expressed concern over the attack. “The BJP had organised the attack as its leaders were aware that they would lose in the Cooch Behar seat this time. That is why the party is attacking our local leaders popular in their areas. The police should find the attackers,” said Jagadish Chandra Roy, a party leader.

A police team visited the spot and spoke with Sukumar’s family members.

BJP leaders, however, denied the charge. “It is the fallout of inner rivalry within Trinamool,” said a BJP leader.

Bombs found

Two crude bombs were found near the house of a BJP worker in Simultala, a village under Dinhata police station of Cooch Behar, on Saturday morning.

Residents spotted the bombs near the house of Phani Barman. Biraj, his son, worked as a polling agent of the BJP in a local booth, they said. Biraj accused Trinamool of leaving the bombs in the place. The latter denied it. Police took away the bombs and started a probe.