West Bengal unrest: Casualties rise to four amid widespread vandalism and attacks on Police

KOLKATA: Violent clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP workers continue to rock various parts of West Bengal following the assembly election results. The unrest has claimed four lives so far and left several others injured. While both parties have traded blame for the escalation, the state remains on high alert.

Casualties and Targeted Attacks

The violence intensified on Tuesday evening. In Kolkata's New Town, BJP worker Madhu Mondal was killed, while in Birbhum’s Nanoor, TMC worker Abir Sheikh lost his life in a separate attack.

Infrastructure and party offices have become primary targets:

• Vandalism: BJP workers reportedly used a bulldozer to demolish a TMC office in New Market.
• Arson: TMC offices in the Asansol industrial belt and other regions were set on fire on Tuesday night.
• Defacement: In Raniganj, Burnpur, and Barabani, TMC offices were reportedly painted saffron.
• Political Offices: The election office of former minister Arup Biswas in Tollygunge and the office of TMC Councillor Sushanta Ghosh in Kasba were vandalised.
• Gunfire: In Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas, including three local police officers and two CRPF jawans sustained gunshot wounds during the unrest.

Arrests in Murshidabad

In Murshidabad, police arrested five individuals following a complaint by CPI(M) workers alleging that BJP supporters toppled a statue of Lenin. While the CPI(M) has launched protests against the act, the BJP has denied any involvement in the incident.

Security scaled back for Mamata Banerjee

Key Changes in Security:

• Locations: Security cordons were thinned at 188A Harish Chatterjee Street (CM's residence), 121 Kalighat Road (TMC office), and 9 Camac Street (Abhishek Banerjee's residence).
• Measures: High-security barricades were removed starting at 6:30 AM Wednesday.
• Official Statement: West Bengal DGP Siddh Nath Gupta clarified that while the outer perimeter security has been adjusted, the Z-plus category security for both leaders remains intact.