KOLKATA: A doctor and his family members were allegedly attacked by some Trinamool Congress workers on Wednesday night for daring to attend the last rites of former Union minister and BJP state president Tapan Sikdar a day before.

The incident has triggered unrest in the Purba Panchanangram area close to the Trinamool headquarters in Anandapur off EM Bypass.

The victim, Apurba Kumar Roy, and his son Aloke have pointed fingers at some miscreants with the backing of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The incident took place between 11pm and 11.30pm. Apurba claimed that his son and brother-in-law work for a local CPM leader who runs a syndicate. "The Trinamool goons are opposed to this syndicate. Hence they targeted me and my family," he told TOI.

The local Trinamool leadership denied the charges. Instead, they claimed that the opposition led by Apurba's brother-in-law Aurobindo Mondal was trying to form a syndicate. It was Aurobindo who indulged in violence, had attacked a local Trinamool leader recently Biswajit and smashed his head with an iron rod. "We have filed an attempt to murder case against Aurobindo in the local police station," said a local Trinamool worker.

When contacted, DC (southeast) Debabrata Das admitted that there was some trouble "between two groups." "We have registered cross FIRs and are further investigating the case. One of the victims has serious injuries. Though no arrest has been made so far, we will take concrete steps once we ascertain the exact nature of the complaints," said Das.

Police said that they were not aware of any "old rivalry" between the two groups. "Prima facie, it seems like a case of promoting gone wrong. But the complaint specifically mentions of being targeted for attending the cremation of a BJP leader and hence we will be probing this angle too," said an investigating officer. The police, though, dismissed allegation that Apurba's children and wife were targeted.

Talking to TOI, Apurba, an alternative medicine practitioner, claimed that he came close to RSS several years ago when he was residing in Odisha. "I had come back to Kolkata but did not join any political party. I knew Tapanda (Tapan Sikdar)

personally and decided to pay my last respects to him. At least 20 of us went to the cremation on Tuesday from ward number 108. I am being targeted for what essentially is my personal choice," claimed Apurba. He added that his son Aloke, a class XII pass-out, was the target but the accused hurt themselves in the melee. They did not even spare our car," alleged Apurba.

The police said that they are assessing the prevailing law and order situation. "We are keeping an eye in the area. If need be, we will give police posting in the area," said police sources.

Sinha meets governor: BJP state president Rahul Sinha on Thursday said that Governor M K Narayanan has expressed concern over the attacks on BJP workers in Sandeshkahli and elsewhere in the state. "On Thursday, a team of state BJP unit met Governor M K Narayanan and submitted a memorandum to him about the law and order situation and violence on opposition parties. He had inquired about those who had been attacked and expressed concern," Sinha said after the meeting.

