West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; North 24 Parganas, August 9: Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced protests in Halisahar on Sunday, with demonstrators surrounding her vehicle and raising slogans against her. The protesters reportedly shouted “thief” slogans and threw mud and slippers towards her car at Bhutbagan More in Halisahar.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon when Mamata Banerjee was travelling through the Bhutbagan area. Her security personnel were initially caught off guard as protesters gathered around the vehicle and began raising slogans. The situation quickly turned tense, prompting the security team and police personnel to take measures to protect the former Chief Minister and ensure that her vehicle could move through the area.

Mamata Banerjee was visiting the residence of Birju Keot, the husband of Jenny Sharma Keot, a resigned Trinamool Congress councillor of Ward 23 of Kanchrapara Municipality. Birju Keot had been arrested by the police on Friday in connection with several allegations, including corruption and extortion. He subsequently died on Saturday while in police custody.

The death of Birju Keot has triggered a political controversy in the area. Trinamool Congress leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, have alleged that Birju died as a result of assault by the police while he was in custody. The allegations have added to the tension surrounding the incident and prompted political leaders to raise questions about the circumstances of his death.

Mamata Banerjee travelled to Birju Keot’s residence to meet his family following his death. However, before she could reach the house, her convoy encountered protesters at Bhutbagan More. Demonstrators surrounded her vehicle, shouted slogans and expressed their anger against the former Chief Minister.

Mud and slippers were also reportedly thrown towards Mamata Banerjee’s vehicle during the protest. The incident created tension in the area, with security personnel and police officers attempting to control the situation and clear the route for the former Chief Minister’s convoy.

Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen were accompanying Mamata Banerjee during the visit. They too faced protests and subsequently expressed their anger over the incident and criticised the administration.

Kalyan Banerjee launched a strong attack against the state administration while reacting to the situation. He alleged that Suvendu Adhikari was running the administration through the police and accused the government of using alleged mafia elements to carry out its activities.

“Suvendu Adhikari is running the state through the police. He is getting work done through mafias,” Kalyan Banerjee alleged.

The situation remained tense as Mamata Banerjee’s vehicle proceeded through the Bhatpara and Bijpur areas. Police personnel were required to surround the former Chief Minister’s vehicle and escort her convoy to prevent further disruption.

The protest comes amid growing political tension surrounding the death of Birju Keot in police custody. His arrest on Friday on allegations including corruption and extortion was followed by his death the next day, leading to allegations from Trinamool leaders that he had been subjected to police assault. The administration and investigating agencies are facing questions over the circumstances surrounding the death.

Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the bereaved family subsequently became the scene of a political confrontation, with protesters using the opportunity to raise slogans against her and the Trinamool Congress. The presence of senior Trinamool leaders further intensified the political exchanges surrounding the incident.

The protest in Halisahar has added another layer to the already heated political atmosphere in North 24 Parganas. As Mamata Banerjee and other Trinamool leaders raised allegations regarding Birju Keot’s death, opponents used her visit to express their anger through demonstrations.

Security arrangements were strengthened around the former Chief Minister as she travelled through the area. Police personnel remained deployed around her vehicle and worked to prevent the protesters from coming too close to the convoy.

The incident has once again brought the political dispute surrounding Birju Keot’s death into focus. While Trinamool leaders have alleged custodial assault, the circumstances of the death remain a matter of investigation. Meanwhile, Sunday’s protest in Halisahar, including the slogans and objects allegedly thrown at Mamata Banerjee’s vehicle, has intensified the political confrontation in the area.