A violent assault left Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Khagen Murmu hospitalized with significant head injuries on Monday afternoon. The attack occurred in Nagrakata, West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, where a delegation of BJP leaders was conducting inspections and distributing relief in areas devastated by recent floods and landslides.
Eyewitnesses reported that Murmu, the legislator from Malda Uttar, along with BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh, was encircled and assaulted by a large group of locals. Their vehicle also suffered extensive damage. Ghosh, in a video recorded while rushing Murmu to the hospital, described the scene: “KhagenDa is lying bloodsoaked in the vehicle. Not a single glass pane in the car has been spared. There is shattered glass and stones everywhere inside the car. We are leaving from here immediately to get urgent medical attention.” The video footage further displayed the debris of rocks and shattered glass, highlighting the severity of Murmu’s injuries as he sat in the backseat.
The BJP has vehemently accused individuals linked to the Trinamool Congress of orchestrating the attack. Union Minister and BJP legislator Sukanta Majumdar strongly condemned the incident, stating, “Today in Nagrakata, while BJP MP Shri Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh, MLA and the chief Opposition whip in the West Bengal Assembly were inspecting flood-affected areas and distributing relief, they were brutally attacked in the presence of the Mamata-police. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the people of Bengal will never forget this cowardice and shamelessness. From yesterday until today, the people of Bengal will punish every one of your immoral and inhuman acts of brutality.”
This unfortunate event unfolded amidst the dire situation in Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Alipurduar districts, which have been severely impacted by torrential rainfall, widespread flooding, and devastating landslides between October 4 and 5. The natural calamity has tragically claimed the lives of at least 24 people. Adding to the political tension, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit these affected regions later today.