TMC cadres and followers of MLA Arabul Islam attacked a rally taken out in support of an independent candidate

Ahead of the panchayat polls in West Bengal, Bhangar, in the State’s South 24 Parganas, witnessed fresh violence late on Friday evening. A 26-year-old villager, who is said to be a supporter of an independent candidate contesting the rural polls, was killed.

Following the incident, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and local strongman Arabul Islam was arrested.

The incident took place when TMC cadres and followers of Arabul attacked a rally taken out in support of an independent candidate at the Natunhat village at Bhangar II block.

The deceased was a supporter of the Committee for Protection of Land, Livelihood, Ecology and Environment, which has been agitating against setting up a power grid in the area for the past couple of years. The concerned independent candidate is also supported by the Committee.

“Our supporter Hafijul Molla (26) was shot dead by TMC cadres during an election rally on Friday at Natunhat village. Five other supporters also sustained bullet injuries,” a member of the Committee said. He further alleged that TMC cadres and followers of the former ruling party MLA Arabul were behind the attack.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during a video chat on social media, said that “there are Maoists in Bhangar and they are in touch with their counterparts in Bihar. I have asked police to take action against Arabul.” However, she did not elaborate on the reason behind her instructions.

The incident comes at a time when there has been renewed tension between the Committee and TMC over filing nominations for the panchayat polls. The Committee has fielded nine candidates- eight for gram panchayats seats and one for panchayat samity seat- for the rural polls.

Bhangar has remained tense since January 2017 when two persons were killed during a clash between the agitators and police over a proposed power grid.