TMC accused of attacking another BJP leader during flood-relief work

Alipurduar: BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon was on Tuesday allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers while distributing flood relief materials in Alipurduar, a day after two senior BJP leaders were assaulted by a mob in adjoining Jalpaiguri district.

Oraon, who sustained injuries in the incident, claimed that a group of TMC workers attacked him and his supporters when they were distributing relief items among flood-affected villagers in his constituency Kumargram. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment.

"While trying to help flood-hit people, I was suddenly surrounded and attacked. This is the state of democracy under the TMC," Oraon reportedly said from the hospital.

The TMC, however, denied the charges and dubbed them as "baseless".

"The charges are baseless. It was Manoj Oraon who had assaulted an aged man in his area first," a local TMC leader said.

The West Bengal unit of the BJP strongly condemned the incident, accusing the ruling TMC of "terror politics" in the state.

"Whenever we stand beside flood-hit people in north Bengal, the TMC unleashes its rampage! In Mamata Banerjee's rule, even showing solidarity with people in distress has become a crime! BJP MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon, party workers, and central forces were attacked," the party posted on X along with a video of the attack.

PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

"The TMC does not understand the language of humanity, it only understands the politics of terror. While the people of north Bengal await help amid the devastation caused by floods, the TMC remains busy spreading fear and violence. Trinamool's politics means nothing but hooliganism, lies, and hatred," the BJP said in a post on X.

The BJP also shared visuals on social media showing the injured MLA being taken to the hospital and several damaged vehicles in the area.

This latest attack comes barely a day after BJP MP Khagen Murmu and Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh were injured in an assault during relief distribution in Jalpaiguri district's Nagrakata area on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Monday criticised the TMC regime for its "pathetic" law and order situation, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back, accusing him of "politicising a natural disaster".

Large parts of north Bengal, including Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Darjeeling, have been reeling under severe floods and landslides following torrential rains over the past week, which have left at least 30 people dead and many missing.