A Muslim man was killed and his close associate critically injured in an alleged mob attack by supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Birbhum district, amid reports of post-election violence following the Assembly poll results
Violence was reported from several parts of West Bengal soon after the election results were declared on May 5. Santoshpur village, under the jurisdiction of the Nanoor police station, was among the affected areas, Maktoob Media reported.
According to eyewitnesses and local residents, 35-year-old Abir Sheikh was allegedly hacked to death while returning with friends. Villagers stated that Sheikh served as a local booth president of the All India Trinamool Congress.
Speaking to Maktoob, a local resident and TMC member identified as Saiful reportedly said that Sheikh and his companions had gone fishing earlier in the day and were attacked on their way back by a group of around 50 people.
Saiful alleged that the mob included BJP and CPI(M) supporters, and claimed that while all of them were assaulted, Sheikh was specifically targeted and attacked with sharp weapons.
A video circulating from the scene reportedly showed Sheikh lying in blood with severe injuries, as people nearby reacted in shock.
His aide, Ali Hossain, who is reportedly in his late 30s, was also seriously injured. Villagers alleged that he too was assaulted with sharp weapons and left critically wounded.
Another resident claimed the attackers abandoned Hossain believing he would die, adding that he remained in critical condition at the hospital.
Following the incident, police personnel were deployed in the village amid heightened tension and fear. Hossain was later shifted to R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
Residents further alleged that police personnel were present during the attack but failed to intervene. Saiful claimed that authorities were aware of the names of those involved as they belonged to the same village, but alleged that no arrests had been made.
TMC leaders and members of Sheikh’s family accused BJP supporters of carrying out the assault. Local TMC leader Bidhan Maji reportedly described the killing as part of a wider pattern of post-poll violence in the region.
The BJP denied the allegations and instead accused TMC workers of triggering violence during victory celebrations.
Former BJP district leader Sannyasicharan Mondal reportedly stated that no BJP workers were involved and alleged that attempts were being made to malign the party’s image. He also said the party had urged police to take strict action.
At least five people, including a personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, were reportedly killed in violence that erupted across West Bengal after the BJP’s landmark electoral victory in the Assembly polls.