Cooch behar gram panchayat: CPM member’s uncle killed in ‘attack by TMC’

“As I am the only opposition member elected to the Jamaldaha Gram Panchayat, TMC workers have been putting pressure on me to leave the area. As I was on my way to lodge a written complaint with Mekhliganj Police Station along with my family members and party workers, people led by TMC leader Rathin Ray Dakua, who lost the election to me, attacked us with a sharp weapon,’’ he said.

“My father Safiruddin and my uncle were seriously injured. My uncle died on the way to a hospital and my father is in a critical condition. I somehow escaped unhurt,” Islam told The Indian Express. He later filed an FIR against 23 people.

“We have arrested seven people in connection with last night’s incident. Preliminary investigation revealed that it was a fallout of a family dispute. It was not a politically-motivated murder,” said a senior police officer.

The TMC denied Islam’s allegations. “It was a family dispute. It was not a political clash. The CPI (M) is trying to give it a political colour,” TMC’s North Bengal leader Udayan Guha said.

CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty slammed the ruling party for seeking to avenge its loses in Cooch Behar. “It was a deadly attack by TMC criminals to take revenge and teach lessons to those who helped CPI (M) win seats there. It was a fascistic attack,” he said.

Two BJP workers were found dead in Purulia last week.