"Death Was Close": Mamata Banerjee Blames Police and Protesters for Convoy Ambush

"Could Have Died": Mamata Banerjee Alleges Brutal Attack on Car in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced a massive protest and an alleged physical attack on her vehicle in the North 24 Parganas district. Banerjee claimed that her car was targeted with bricks, stones, mud, and shoes, stating that the assault was severe enough to have cost her life.

Key Highlights of the Incident

• The Trigger: Banerjee was travelling to Halisahar to visit the family of Birju Keot, a local TMC worker who allegedly died while in police custody.

• The Attack: As her convoy passed through Bijpur, angry demonstrators surrounded her vehicle, chanting "Chor bhagao" (Drive away the thieves) and "Go back" slogans. Protesters smeared mud on her car and hurled water bottles, footwear, and large stones.

• "Could Have Died": Expressing shock over the scale of violence, Mamata Banerjee told reporters that the consequences could have been fatal.

  “Large stones were hurled at my car by anti-social elements, right in front of the police. The attack on the vehicle was so severe that if the windows had been open, my head would have been split open. We could have all been killed,” Banerjee said.

Political Clash and Allegations

• TMC's Stance: The party lashed out at the state administration and local police, calling it a pre-planned conspiracy and an "attempt to murder". TMC leaders alleged that police remained mute spectators while hundreds of opposition workers targeted the former Chief Minister.

• BJP's Response: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned the incident while denying any involvement of its party workers. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya stated that the protest was a reflection of public outrage against the TMC and maintained that the party does not endorse violence or mistreatment of any woman or political leader.

Background: The Custodial Death Controversy

The tensions on the ground stem from the mysterious death of TMC worker Birju Keot. Keot was arrested on extortion and cheating charges and was later declared dead after allegedly falling ill in police custody. While police claimed he suffered a medical emergency, his family and local party members alleged he was brutally tortured inside the lock-up, triggering widespread public anger and political friction in the district.