BJP worker dies after alleged assault in West Bengal's Panihati
Arup Saha died after intervening in a dispute involving his wife and other party workers in North 24 Parganas district.
A BJP worker, Arup Saha, died after being allegedly assaulted by members of a rival group within his own party in Panihati, West Bengal, according to reports by Hindustan Times, Rediff, and Telegraph India. The incident occurred on Saturday night in the North 24 Parganas district.
The confrontation reportedly began when Ruma Saha, a BJP local mandal secretary, intervened during an alleged assault on a local trader, Shankar Dey. Police stated that Ruma Saha was subsequently verbally abused by a group of party workers, prompting Arup Saha to intervene to rescue her.
Arup Saha complained of chest pain after the altercation and was taken to Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital, where he died, his wife said. Ruma Saha alleged that the assailants were followers of Nirmal Ghosh, a former Trinamool Congress MLA, and that the group included workers who had switched allegiance to the BJP from the Trinamool Congress.
Panihati BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, who won the assembly seat in May, told the media that unwanted elements continue to operate within the party. She alleged that politicians involved in illegal activities during the Trinamool Congress regime remain active in the area.
A district police officer said that while people are making allegations, no formal complaint had been lodged as of Sunday morning. The officer added that police are examining the allegations and will take legal action against those found responsible.