Attack on Former MLAs Car Sparks Tensions in Bhangar

Kolkata, August 23: Tensions escalated in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, after an attack on the car of former Trinamool Congress MLA Arabul Islam. This incident occurred just a day after the attack, when a fire was set at a local office of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Sunday. The ISF has been accused of orchestrating the attack on Islam’s vehicle.

The fire at the ISF office led to unrest in the Shakser area of Bhangar. ISF members alleged that the Trinamool Congress was behind the attack, prompting party workers and supporters to block roads, disrupting traffic in the area.

As tensions rose, officers from the Bhangar police station arrived to manage the situation. They are currently investigating who was involved in the arson at the ISF office. A senior officer from Kolkata police confirmed that they have received a complaint regarding the fire and a team has been dispatched to the scene.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, reports emerged of a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office set to be inaugurated later that day in the same area.

Notably, the attack on Islam’s car occurred on Saturday night, shortly after he indicated a return to the Trinamool Congress from the ISF. While returning home from a hospital, his vehicle was reportedly targeted with bricks and homemade bombs in the Uriyapara area near the Bhangar police station.

Islam has blamed ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui and the party for the attack, claiming that bricks and two bombs were thrown at his car. Fortunately, none of the bombs struck the vehicle, detonating instead on the road. However, the brick attack shattered a window, narrowly missing Islam.

Reports indicate that other individuals were present in the car with Islam. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the driver swiftly drove away, averting a potentially dangerous outcome. Initial reports suggest that neither Islam nor his companions sustained any physical injuries.

Islam alleged that some ISF workers took advantage of the darkness to launch the attack, claiming he has been targeted since announcing his departure from the party. Following his complaint, an investigation was initiated, with a police team promptly visiting the attack site. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage in the area to identify the assailants.

Speaking to the media on Sunday morning, Islam stated, “I had not stepped out until the evening. When I passed near the cemetery in Uriyapara, the attack occurred. It was quite severe. The car was moving at a good speed; had it been any slower, both the driver and I could have been injured. They attacked because I left the ISF.”