TMC-BJP Clash in Mukundapur Leaves Several Injured, Police Use Baton-Charge

Supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP clashed in Mukundapur on Tuesday over control of a local party office, leaving several people injured and prompting police to use a baton-charge to disperse the rival groups.

Police said the confrontation erupted during a dispute over the ownership and control of the office. Several TMC workers were reportedly hospitalised following the violence.

The trouble began after TMC workers aligned with the Mamata Banerjee faction took out a rally demanding that a party office, which they alleged had been “forcefully occupied” by the BJP, be vacated. The protesters were also planning to submit a memorandum at the Purba Jadavpur police station.

The TMC alleged that BJP workers attacked the rally participants and threw eggs at women workers. Party spokesperson and IT cell head Upasana Chowdhury alleged that she was beaten and molested, while her family members were attacked when they attempted to intervene. She also claimed that the windshields of her car were smashed.

Former IPS officer and ex-MLA Humayun Kabir alleged that he was assaulted by BJP workers while trying to reach the police station after the clashes. In a social media video, Kabir appeared injured, with blood on his face and his shirt torn.

TMC MPs Derek O'Brien and Mahua Moitra criticised the police response, alleging that officers failed to prevent the attacks.

The BJP, however, denied the allegations, claiming that TMC workers had attacked its supporters without provocation. A local BJP leader alleged that clashes began after TMC workers confronted a party worker who was recording the rally.

BJP Jadavpur MLA Sarbori Mukherjee described the incident as a reaction to what she called an attempt by the TMC to regain control in the area.

Both parties later staged demonstrations outside the Purba Jadavpur police station as police worked to restore calm.