Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has alleged that her car came under attack during a visit to North 24 Parganas district on Sunday.
Banerjee was travelling to meet the family of Birju Keot, a Trinamool-linked former councillor's husband who allegedly died while in police custody, when protesters reportedly gathered around her convoy in Halisahar.
According to Banerjee, protesters threw stones and bricks at her vehicle. She also alleged that mud was smeared on the car and that shoes and water bottles were thrown during the confrontation.
Mamata Says Attack Could Have Been Fatal
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Banerjee claimed the attack could have caused serious injury had the car windows not been closed.
She also criticised the police response, alleging that officers failed to adequately protect her convoy during the confrontation.
Trinamool MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Dola Sen, who were travelling with her, also accused the state administration of failing to prevent the incident.
BJP Condemns Incident, Denies Role
The BJP in West Bengal rejected any suggestion that the party was involved in the alleged attack.
State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya condemned the incident and said those responsible should be identified and dealt with by the police. He maintained that the BJP had no connection with the violence.
Visit Linked To Alleged Custodial Death
Banerjee had travelled to the area to meet the family of Birju Keot, who was arrested in an alleged extortion case and subsequently sent to police custody.
Keot's wife, former Kanchrapara municipality councillor Jenny Sharma, has alleged that he was assaulted and tortured while in custody and subsequently died.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has also questioned the circumstances surrounding Keot's arrest, claiming that his name was not included in the FIR.
The police have not yet responded to the allegations concerning Keot's death in custody.