NIA Makes First Arrest in Bhatpara Shooting Case; Political Tensions Soar

Baby Chakraborty,  KalimNews, North 24 Pargana,  15 November 2024: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made its first arrest in connection with the shooting incident targeting Priyanku Pandey, a close associate of BJP leader Arjun Singh, in Bhatpara, North 24 Pargana. The arrest, made on Friday in Maheshtala, marks a significant development in the case that has heightened political tensions between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The attack occurred while Priyanku Pandey and another BJP leader, Ravi Singh, were traveling towards Kankinara. According to Arjun Singh, the assailant opened fire as their car paused on the road. Pandey, seated beside the driver, sustained injuries, and Singh, in the back seat, was also hurt. Singh claimed that a bullet struck the driver in the forehead, narrowly averting a fatal accident.

Singh described the incident as a "100 percent planned" assassination attempt.

Initially investigated by local authorities, the case was transferred to the NIA amid claims of political motivations and allegations of TMC involvement. The arrest on Friday is expected to shed light on the perpetrators and their motives.

The incident has sparked a war of words between the BJP and TMC. Jagaddal TMC MLA Somnath Shyam dismissed the allegations, accusing Arjun Singh of staging the attack. “Arjun himself orchestrated the shooting and bombing to malign TMC,” Shyam said, suggesting political theatrics at play.

Arjun Singh, however, vehemently rejected these claims, reiterating that the attack was a deliberate attempt to eliminate Pandey and Singh. “This was no accident; it was a calculated move to silence our voices,” he asserted.

Bhatpara, a politically volatile area with a history of clashes between TMC and BJP, has witnessed escalating tensions since the incident. The shooting has not only intensified the rivalry between the two parties but also raised concerns about law and order in the region.

With the NIA’s involvement, further arrests and revelations are expected. The agency’s investigation will likely explore links between the accused and political figures, aiming to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the attack.

As the case unfolds, it underscores the deepening political divide in West Bengal, where violence often intertwines with political rivalries. Both parties are now bracing for the impact of the NIA’s findings, which could have far-reaching implications for the region's political landscape.