CPI(M) Office Set Ablaze In Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, Party Accuses ABVP Workers
Jalpaiguri: Political tensions escalated in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri after the CPI(M)’s district office was allegedly vandalised and set on fire late Monday night. The Left party has blamed workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the attack, while both the ABVP and BJP have denied the allegations.
The incident sparked protests across Jalpaiguri City, with CPI(M) workers taking out a large march on Tuesday. The procession began from the party’s district office, Subodh Sen Bhawan, amid a heavy police presence.
Clash Between ABVP And SFI Preceded Attack
According to sources, tensions had already been building after a clash between ABVP and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) supporters in Jalpaiguri on Monday afternoon.
Several ABVP supporters were allegedly injured during the confrontation. Later, ABVP workers reportedly submitted a written complaint at a police station and were returning home when they were allegedly attacked again near the CPI(M) district office.
The situation reportedly escalated later that night.
At around 10:30 pm, a group of people allegedly attacked the CPI(M) office. The CPI(M) claimed that party property was damaged, flags were burnt and parts of the office were set on fire.
CPI(M) Alleges Petrol Bottles, Weapons Used
CPI(M) Jalpaiguri district secretary Pijush Mishra alleged that the attackers arrived carrying petrol-filled bottles, matches and weapons.
“We saw them holding bottles filled with petrol, matches, swords and sticks. They were hurling stones at our party office and setting it on fire,” Mishra alleged.
The party also claimed that a martyr memorial inside the office was damaged and several windowpanes were smashed during the incident.
Police personnel from Kotwali Police Station rushed to the spot after receiving information about the attack and attempted to bring the situation under control. An argument reportedly followed between police personnel and CPI(M) supporters at the scene.
BJP And ABVP Reject Allegations
The CPI(M) has further alleged that BJP workers accompanied the ABVP supporters during the attack, including while police personnel were present.
However, the BJP and ABVP have categorically rejected the allegations, denying any involvement in the vandalism or arson.
The rival claims have added to the political tension in Jalpaiguri, where Monday’s clash between student groups has now been followed by allegations of an attack on a major political party office.
Police have stepped up security in the area as authorities work to establish exactly what happened and identify those responsible for the alleged vandalism and fire.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
