Fresh Political Row over attack on NIA
Ahead of Lok-Sabha elections, West Bengal witnessed a new political row on Sunday between West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following an attack on a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team at Bhupatinagar, East Midnapore district on Saturday, while the team was conducting a raid in connection to a 2022 bomb blast case.
Following the incident Chief Minister of West Bengal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies in the north-eastern district of Cooch Behar, garnering massive crowds from the local population as well as party leaders and supporters.
PM Modi accused CM Banerjee of corruption in party ranks stating, “TMC wishes to get licences for their corrupt leaders to continue openly. That’s why when central agencies come to West Bengal, the TMC attacks them”.
He further added that TMC, Left & the Congress have formed the INDI alliance in a bid to cover up corruption in their party ranks, as a direct attack on democracy and the nations judiciary system’s currently in place.
In retaliation, CM Mamata Banerjee stated, “Agencies such as the NIA, ED and CBI are being used to harass TMC leaders. They are carrying out raids without prior information, and barging into houses. What would women do if someone entered their house when everyone was asleep in the dead of night.” She asked.
She also said, central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, NIA, CBI and the Income Tax Department are essentially working as BJP’s “arms” or “extensions”.
NIA Rejects Allegations of TMC
The National Investigation Agency, following the assault of their officers at Bhupatinagar, East Medinipur, released a statement on Sunday, denying CM Banerjee’s allegations of bias or mal-intentions.
The anti-terror probe agency further added that the attack on its officers was “unprovoked”, clearly stating, “actions were bonafide, lawful and legally mandated, as part of its ongoing investigation into the heinous crime related to fabrication of crude bombs, leading to an explosion that killed three persons’ in Narubila village, PS – Bhoopatinagar, district Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.
NIA Categorically Refutes Allegations of Mala Fide in its Bhoopati Nagar Blast Case Actions pic.twitter.com/vCH6o5Nxo7
— NIA India (@NIA_India) April 7, 2024
The statement was issued on the agency’s twitter page after, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged bias in centre’s investigation agencies performance of their duties. The TMC leader also raised questions about Election Commission’s “Conspicuous silence” on the matter.
TMC Alleges NIA-BJP Link ahead of LS polls
Following the statement released on Twitter, Abhishek Banerjee put the agency in crosshairs again, alleging state BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari’s met with an NIA Superintendent after the Lok Sabha Poll’s, Model Code of Conduct was announced. He further alleged that Tiwari was seen carrying a “parcel” with him when he had arrived at the NIA official’s residence, but on his way out he was empty handed.
He shared the agency’s statement adding, “Dear NIA, please clarify if Jitendra Tiwari of BJP met with your SP, Dhan Ram Singh at his residence in Kolkata on the 26th March, while the MCC was in effect? Additionally, we have information suggesting he arrived with a parcel and left empty-handed after 52 minutes”.
The state BJP on the other hand has alleged that CM Mamata Banerjee is under substantial concern and uncertainty due to issues like Unemployment, corruption & SandeshKhali and “is trying to instigate hooligans” against central agencies with provocative statements.
According to a report from ANI, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari stated, “We have full faith in the NIA. The way the Bengal Chief Minister attacked the NIA a day after its officers were attacked is condemnable. She is under pressure and fear due to issues like unemployment, Sandeshkhali, and corruption. Mamata Banerjee is trying to instigate hooligans against central agencies by making such provocative statements. It is an attempt to polarise politics, similar to what happened in Sitalkuchi during the 2021 assembly elections.”
An FIR has been registered by The West Bengal police against NIA officials after an arrested TMC leader’s wife filed a case for alleged molestation during the Bhupatinagar incident. Under IPC Section 354 (for assaulting any women with an intention to outrage her modesty).
In the raid conducted by the anti-terror probe agency on Saturday, individuals Manobrata Jana & Balai Charan Maity were arrested after alleged involvement in a conspiracy to manufacture and detonate crude bombs, during election periods.
Despite the alleged attack on NIA officials on Saturday, while they were enroute back to Kolkata, no arrests have been made by the West Bengal police regarding the incident.
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