Kolkata, Jan 22 (IANS) BJP workers on Thursday protested against the attack on a party leader’s house in Onda area of Bankura district and accused Trinamool miscreants of setting the house on fire. However, the ruling party denied any involvement in the incident and alleged infighting in the BJP led to the attack.

The spat between the two parties began when a BJP leader’s house in Onda, Bankura, was allegedly attacked and set on fire after petrol was poured on it.

The BJP alleged that Trinamool Congress workers tried to burn the leader and his family alive but they were saved by the efforts of the villagers.

However, the Trinamool Congress has denied the allegations, claiming the incident was a result of infighting within the BJP.

According to local sources, Tapas Barik, a leader of the BJP’s social media cell, returned home at Nandanpur village under Onda police station around 9 pm on Wednesday after attending a party programme in the local Nakaijuri area and after dinner, he went to sleep.

Tapas claimed that he woke up in the middle of the night to a noise and then noticed that someone had poured petrol on the thatched roof of his house and set it on fire. Not only that, the miscreants had also locked the door from the outside.

Villagers rushed to the scene upon seeing the fire. They broke down the door and rescued Tapas and his family. Tapas claimed that the miscreants not only attacked his house but also vandalised his shop.

Upon learning of the incident, the BJP MLA of Onda, Amarnath Shakha, arrived at the scene on Thursday morning.

BJP workers started a protest in front of the Nakaijuri police outpost from morning, demanding swift arrest and strict punishment for the culprits.

Tapas claimed that the Trinamool Congress was behind the attack on his house and shop.

He said, “Trinamool-backed miscreants attacked me for the ‘crime’ of being a BJP member. They set my house on fire and vandalised and looted my shop. They tried to burn me and my family alive. I demand a proper investigation and justice for this incident.”

The BJP MLA from Onda constituency alleged, “The Trinamool Congress carried out this attack in a pre-planned manner. If the culprits are not arrested quickly, we will launch a larger movement.”

However, the Trinamool Congress denied any involvement in the incident. They said that the incident was a result of infighting within the BJP.

Abhirup Khan, the president of the Onda Panchayat Samiti and a Trinamool leader, said, “The Trinamool Congress is not involved in this incident in any way. This incident may have occurred due to infighting within the BJP. The truth will come to light once the police investigate the matter.”

Regarding this incident, Bankura Superintendent of Police Soumyadeep Bhattacharya said that if a complaint is filed, the police will investigate all aspects and take necessary action.

–IANS

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