kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Tensions continue to simmer in Maheshtala, located on the southern fringes of Kolkata, days after a violent political clash shook the area. As the political blame game intensifies, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, visited the affected families on Sunday and strongly demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into what he described as a “pre-planned and targeted attack.”

The violence reportedly broke out between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP supporters following disputes over post-election celebrations. Multiple houses and vehicles were torched, several people were injured, and a heavy police deployment was needed to bring the situation under control. While the TMC has denied any involvement, the BJP claims its workers were specifically targeted and assaulted.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Rajabagan and Batanagar—two of the most affected areas—Adhikari said, “What happened in Maheshtala was not random violence. It was a systematic and politically motivated attack on our supporters. This is a complete failure of law and order under the Trinamool regime. We are demanding that the NIA take over the investigation immediately, as the state police cannot be trusted to act impartially.”

He further alleged that crude bombs were used during the attack, and that certain local leaders of the ruling party had instigated the violence. “The people of Bengal are not safe. Every time the TMC wins an election, their celebration ends in bloodshed. Is this democracy?” he questioned.

The BJP delegation accompanying Adhikari included senior leaders of the state unit who also met with injured party workers currently undergoing treatment in local hospitals. Some families narrated harrowing experiences of being locked in their homes while mobs ransacked their property. A few even claimed they were threatened not to report the incidents to the police.

The West Bengal Police, issued a statement saying the situation in Maheshtala is under control and that arrests have already been made. “We are investigating the matter seriously. Section 144 has been imposed in sensitive areas, and additional forces have been deployed. Rumors and political provocations are being monitored closely,” said a senior official from the South 24 Parganas police.

The TMC leadership has brushed off the BJP’s allegations, calling it a tactic to “divert attention from their electoral failures.” Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated, “BJP is trying to politicize a local issue. Let the police finish the probe. The state government does not support violence in any form.”

Despite the political war of words, residents of Maheshtala remain caught in fear and uncertainty. Several local shops remain shut, and attendance in nearby schools has dropped significantly. Community members say they want peace and protection, not political battles.

Civil society groups and rights activists have also called for an impartial probe, urging the state government to prioritize rehabilitation for those who lost property or livelihoods in the clashes.

As the investigation proceeds, pressure continues to mount on both the state administration and the central government to ensure justice is delivered without political interference. Whether the NIA will step in remains to be seen, but for now, Maheshtala stands as yet another flashpoint in West Bengal's increasingly volatile political landscape.