Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced protests in Halisahar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Sunday while she was on her way to visit the family of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker who died in police custody. A crowd surrounded the TMC chief’s car, shouted “chor (thief)” and “dakat rani (dacoit queen)” at her, and hurled mud and slippers at the vehicle.
While the BJP condemned the incident saying it does not endorse violence, the police said they had opened an investigation into the TMC worker’s custodial death.
“Bricks were hurled at my vehicle. If the windows had not been closed, my head could have been smashed. I have never witnessed such an attack in my life. I was attacked in the presence of the police … Everything happened right in front of the police, yet they did nothing to stop it. Instead of protecting us, they remained silent spectators,” said Banerjee.
The TMC chief said she had lost faith in the local police, alleging that senior figures in the administration were protecting criminal elements and that Keot had died in custody.
The Halisahar police arrested 48-year-old Keot, the husband of former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jenny Sharma Keot, on Friday on charges of extortion, financial fraud, and under the Arms Act. He was produced before the Barrackpore court, which remanded him to police custody for five days. However, Keot suddenly fell ill in the lockup early on Saturday morning and was declared dead upon arrival at the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in Kalyani. His family alleged severe physical torture and assault, claiming there were visible injury marks and bleeding on his ears. The police have ordered an investigation into the allegations.
Senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who accompanied Banerjee to Halisahar, demanded the immediate resignation of the Barrackpore Commissioner of Police Amit Kumar Singh and the Deputy Inspector, asking why Keot was detained late at night despite not being named in the initial FIR. TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata’s nephew, has said Keot’s death raises concerns about the law-and-order situation in the state, while senior leader Dola Sen has said the party will launch protests and move court seeking an independent judicial probe.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the Halisahar incident, saying stone-pelting and physical assault do not represent the BJP’s culture. “Anyone can raise slogans against the former CM or the current CM too. Black flags can be waved in protest; these are all part of democracy. The TMC has done so many atrocities and yet the BJP doesn’t support throwing shoes at a woman and former CM. No BJP supporter can be part of this. It is not the BJP’s culture,” he said.
“If someone is doing this under BJP’s name and feels that they will be rewarded, then let me tell you that you will be identified and punished. Today is the R G Kar victim’s death anniversary, an incident in which Mamata Banerjee couldn’t assure justice. Also, Mamata Banerjee did a lot of wrongdoing during her rule. But it doesn’t mean that you will throw shoes and mud on her and shout ‘chor chor’. We do not endorse it,” said state Minister Agnimitra Paul.
Bijpur MLA Sudipta Das of the BJP extended sympathies to Keot’s family, saying, “I am everyone’s MLA. I can understand the family’s pain, and we are ready to extend all necessary cooperation.”
Barrackpore police chief Singh said the exact cause of death was being probed. “Whatever investigation is required to ascertain the actual cause in such an incident is being carried out,” he said.
Senior police officials said CCTV footage from the police station was being reviewed and the autopsy had been videographed to establish the sequence of events.
Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More