NEW DELHI: Unidentified attackers hurled bombs and opened fire outside BJP leader and former MP Arjun Singh’s residence in West Bengal’s Bhatpara late Wednesday night.
As per the police, a youth suffered injuries in the incident that stemmed from a dispute between worker groups at the local Meghna Jute Mill.
Singh and his associates chased the attackers away from the scene. A large police contingent including Rapid Action Force personnel was deployed to control the situation.
“The situation is now under control. Those involved will not be spared… legal action will be taken against the culprits,” said Barrackpore Police Commissioner Ajay Thakur.
Singh accused TMC councillor Sunita Singh’s son, Namit Singh, of orchestrating the attack. “He opened fire in front of the police. There was indiscriminate firing and bombing,” the former MP alleged.
TMC’s Jagaddal MLA Somnath Shyam countered with accusations against Singh. “Arjun Singh and his men attacked workers in the Meghna Jute Mill and fired bullets. The youth was shot by Singh, and three to four more people were injured in his group’s attack. We demand Singh’s immediate arrest, or we will launch a larger protest,” he said.
Singh provided his account of the events: “Around 10.30 pm, I suddenly heard two rounds of gunshots. I was in Majdoor Bhavan with my close associates. I rushed outside and headed towards Meghna Mor. As soon as we reached the spot, miscreants opened fire at us.”
According to Singh, at least five to seven rounds were fired. During the chase that followed, one of the attackers fell into a drain and was injured.
Police recovered several empty cartridges and live bombs from the scene. The injured youth was first taken to Bhatpara State General Hospital but was later transferred to a Kolkata hospital as his condition worsened.
Police sources indicated the violence erupted following a worker dispute at Meghna Jute Mill. Namit Singh reportedly arrived at the scene after receiving news of the unrest, after which the situation escalated into gunfire and bombing.
Authorities have intensified patrolling in Bhatpara to prevent any further escalation of violence.
