Kolkata: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) encountered a violent attack in Bhupatinagar, East Midnapore, leading to injuries to one team member and damage to the agency’s vehicle. The NIA team had apprehended two Trinamool Congress leaders, Balai Charan Maity and Monobrata Jana, for their alleged involvement in a blast that resulted in three fatalities in December 2022. A hostile crowd impeded the NIA team and its security personnel from reaching Bhupatinagar Police Station, despite filing a complaint with local authorities. The situation escalated as residents attempted to obstruct the team during extensive search operations at multiple locations.
Investigations revealed that Maity and Jana had collaborated to manufacture and detonate crude bombs to incite fear. Both individuals actively participated in the bomb-making conspiracy, leading to their arrest. The clash with the crowd resulted in minor injuries to an NIA member and damage to the agency’s vehicle. The duo was arrested after thorough searches at five locations, including Jana’s residence, where locals tried to block the NIA team. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has requested a detailed report from the district magistrate of East Midnapore on the incident.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the attack on NIA officials, labeling it a “state-sponsored assault” orchestrated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to impede the blast case investigation in 2022. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the attack and criticized the government for nurturing a “Talibani mindset culture,” citing the incident as evidence of political violence and corruption perpetuated under the current administration.
Poonawalla remarked that the violence against central investigative agencies, alongside protection of terror elements, is ingrained in the governance under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. The altercation in Bhupatinagar echoes a previous attack in Sandeshkhali, highlighting a pattern of hindrance towards unbiased investigations. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement officials and the challenges they face while carrying out their duties in politically charged environments.