Bhangar killing rocks West Bengal political scene

The murder of a villager at Bhangar in West Bengal ahead of the panchayat elections has raised political temperatures and raised fresh questions over the law and order situation in the State.

A 26-year-old villager, a supporter of an Independent candidate contesting the rural polls, was allegedly shot dead by Trinamool Congress cadre during a rally. Local people alleged that the ruling party’s cadre were followers of former Trinamool MLA and strongman Arabul Islam, who was arrested late on Friday night.

‘Rally attacked’

On Friday, a rally was taken out by the Committee for Protection of Land, Livelihood, Ecology and Environment (CPLLEE) in support of the Independent candidate at Natunhat village in the Bhangar II Block. According to local people, Trinamool cadre attacked the rally, resulting in the death.

The incident prompted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to order the immediate arrest of Mr. Islam.

“Mr. Islam was arrested late on Friday night near his residence [at the Uttar Gazipur village in Bhangar II Block] in relation to yesterday’s incident. He has been charged with murder along with several other sections of the IPC,” Arijit Sinha, Superintendent of Police of Baruipur (police district) told The Hindu. The State Election Commission (SEC) has sought a report on the incident from the West Bengal government.

Soon after the killing, hundreds of villagers gathered in Bhangar in protest, demanding action against Mr. Islam. On Saturday, the agitators took out a protest rally in central Kolkata.

CPI(M) State secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra, along with several other Left Front leaders, took part in the rally.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s State president Dilip Ghosh described Mr. Islam’s arrest as “an eyewash.”

Trinamool leader Partha Chaterjee said the government would abide by the rule of law, irrespective of how these decisions will impact the party’s performance in the rural polls at Bhangar.

Reports of violence

Violence over the rural polls scheduled for May 14 has been continuing over the past several weeks in the State. During the nomination process from April 2 to April 9, and on April 23, reports of violence have come from different parts of the State, in which about 20 people lost their lives. The Trinamool claims that 14 of its supporters have been killed in the violence.