FIR against Abhishek Banerjee; 2 arrested after Kalighat midnight clash

Kolkata: Two youths from Ekbalpur have been arrested on charges of slapping a police officer during the chaos that erupted in Kolkata's Kalighat area amid celebrations marking Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee's birthday.

Kalighat police have registered four FIRs in connection with the incident. Two suo motu cases have been filed over the alleged assault on police personnel. One of these FIRs names Banerjee himself.

Police have also registered an FIR against unidentified Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers based on a complaint Banerjee filed. In a counter-complaint filed by BJP workers, police have registered cases against Banerjee and several others. Police are examining CCTV footage to establish what happened.

The trouble began late Friday night when supporters gathered outside Banerjee's residence in Kalighat to celebrate his birthday.

The celebrations, which continued into the early hours of Saturday, triggered a confrontation in the neighbourhood.

According to BJP workers, they were passing by Banerjee's residence while carrying an idol for worship when TMC supporters allegedly began raising slogans targeting them.

Raghubir Singh, a BJP worker, alleged that the group had gone to purchase an idol and was recognised as BJP supporters.

He claimed that some TMC workers began shouting 'Jai Bangla' at them. He also alleged corruption against the TMC leader.

BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar criticised the birthday celebrations, alleging that they had caused inconvenience to local residents.

‘If you want to celebrate your birthday, that is perfectly fine. You can rent Brigade Parade Ground or Netaji Indoor Stadium and organise an event. Who has stopped you? But occupying the footpath outside your residence and causing inconvenience to the public is unacceptable,’ Majumdar said.

Banerjee later came out of his residence, after which BJP leaders alleged he confronted and spoke aggressively to police personnel.

BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh also criticised the TMC leader, accusing him of behaving inappropriately with the police.

Ghosh alleged that Banerjee should remember that his aunt, Mamata Banerjee, is no longer the state's police minister.

Tensions resurfaced on Saturday afternoon when supporters again gathered outside Banerjee's residence to cut a cake as part of the birthday celebrations.

However, with prohibitory orders under Section 163 in force, police asked the supporters to move inside the residence. The gathering remained adamant about cutting the cake outside, triggering another spell of tension in the area.