BJP protesters gherao TMC MLA at two places

Kolkata: Khejuri in East Midnapore has been on the boil after Trinamul Congress MLA Ranjit Mondal faced a heavy resistance by the BJP supporters from entering his own Assembly constituency on Sunday in what appeared to be a rare scene during chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s rule in the state. Trouble had been brewing in the area for the past two days in the wake of the saffron surge in the state.

On May 31, the Trinamul workers vandalised a dais built by the BJP in the Kunjapur area to distribute laddoos among the villagers in order to celebrate the party’s victory. Saturday witnessed rounds of clashes between the two parties in different parts.

On Sunday when Mr Mondal went to take stock of the situation at Kanthibari. a few hundred BJP activists, including  women, blocked his way at Birbandar and started demonstrating.

Mr Mondal was stranded. The police rushed to the spot, but they failed to rescue the Trinamul MLA of Khejuri from the angry demonstrators who had gheraoed him. A large contingent of rapid action force personnel was deployed. Somehow Mr Mondal was taken away by the police from the area. But as he went to Haludbari, an adjoining area, another group of BJP supporters ghearoed his car and started protesting.

Helpless Mr Mondal returned. Meanwhile, the BJP workers blocked road in the Birbandar area by keeping wood logs in the middle.

Later, Mr Mondal alleged, “Carrying the BJP flags, the CPI(M) workers are spreading unrest in the area.” Meanwhile, a BJP worker was injured after crude bombs exploded during a victory rally in Jhargram on Sunday to celebrate the saffron party’s win in the Lok Sabha election.

In the morning, the BJP took out the victory rally at Ghoshkira in Chandrakona. Local residents alleged that bombs were burst as part of the celebration. Sunil Murmu who was among the rallyists suffered injuries on his hand. He was rushed to Darigeria Grameen Hospital from where he was shifted to Midnapore Hospital.