CPI (M) leaders assaulted

While veteran trade unionist Subhash Mukhopadhyay was badly thrashed with rods, the former CPI(M) MLA Manash Mukhopadhyay received a blow on his forehead.

Ahead of the civic polls in West Bengal, two senior Communist Party of India-Marxist CPI(M) leaders were allegedly assaulted by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers late on Monday night at Belgharia in North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal.

While veteran trade unionist Subhash Mukhopadhyay was badly thrashed with rods, the former CPI(M) MLA Manash Mukhopadhyay received a blow on his forehead resulting in a fracture. Both leaders were rushed to hospital.

Late on Monday, both leaders were informed that one of their party comrades, Nanda Bose, was gheraoed by TMC cadres in Belghoria. As they reached near Belghoria Metro station the leaders were attacked reportedly by a mob.

“They were all carrying rods or sticks, some of them were even carrying swords,” said Mr Bose, whose family was also allegedly manhandled.

“TMC cadres were pasting posters on our wall. We objected and they attacked us,” Mr Bose told journalists. He accused the police of being “mute spectators” during the incident.

“Their intention was to kill me. I was hit with an iron rod on my neck,” said Subhash Mukhopadhyay.

Senior TMC leader and Bengal Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick denied the allegations. “No TMC workers are involved in the incident. Realising that they will lose in the civic polls, the CPI(M) is manufacturing stories,” he told The Hindu .

Following the incident six persons were arrested.

“There was violence on both sides. The accused have been produced in court,” Commissioner of Police of Barrackpore Police Commissionerate Niraj Kumar Singh told The Hindu . The CPI(M) leadership alleged that Mr. Basu’s brother had also been arrested.