A sudden wave of panic swept through Notun Palli in West Bengal's industrial hub of Durgapur following a violent late-night assault on the residences of local Trinamool Congress members. Unidentified assailants targeted multiple homes belonging to active party workers in the dark, pelting bricks and heavy stones that caused notable property damage. The deafening sound of shattering objects shattered the midnight quiet, forcing terrified residents to stay indoors. A nearby surveillance camera captured the entire incident, and the surfacing of this footage has triggered intense political friction across the district.
Three Assailants Arrived in a Red Vehicle
According to accounts shared by area residents, the disturbance unfolded late on Friday night when a red four-wheeler pulled up in the streets of Notun Palli. Three young men stepped out of the vehicle and immediately launched a barrage of bricks and stones aimed at the houses of Trinamool workers. Alongside the physical vandalism, the attackers shouted abuses and hurled threats at the families inside, waking up the entire neighborhood. The brazen onslaught lasted several minutes, littering the doorsteps with debris, before the trio jumped back into their vehicle and sped away into the night.
Local Cadre Points to Political Retaliation
Speaking about the trauma, local resident and Trinamool worker Sanjay Roy described the attack as premeditated aggression linked to political alignments. He stated that the suspects were not long-standing members but had joined through recent political realignments. Roy expressed confusion over the hostility, suggesting that their unwavering allegiance to the ruling party appeared to be the sole motive behind the violent intimidation. Following the vandalism, the affected families approached the local police station and formally submitted a detailed written complaint demanding swift action.
BJP Rejects Allegations, Blames Ruling Party Factionalism
The incident quickly ignited a war of words between opposing political camps. Reacting to the accusations, Bharatiya Janata Party district spokesperson Sumanta Mandal dismissed claims of external political foul play, asserting that the party strictly opposes violence and disruptive politics. Mandal claimed that the assault was a direct outcome of deep-seated infighting and intense factional rivalries within the Trinamool Congress. He pointed out that internal discord among ruling party workers frequently spills into the streets, leading them to turn on one another. Nevertheless, he urged law enforcement officials to act decisively against anyone attempting to disturb the peace and tranquility of Durgapur. Law enforcement authorities are currently examining the surveillance footage to identify the car and track down the three suspects.
