‘Phones smashed, staff assaulted’: Abhishek Banerjee releases video of Kolkata TMC office attack

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged on Thursday that armed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers forced their way into the party’s Camac Street office in Kolkata in the early hours of the morning, vandalising the premises, assaulting staff, and destroying electronic equipment.

In a social media post, the TMC General Secretary shared video footage of the alleged assault, questioning state and national leaders while demanding immediate action.

"This is what the BJP has done to my party office in the early hours of this morning. Will the Governor of WB act? Will the Union Home Minister act? Will the PMO act? Or will they continue to look the other way? It is high time the judiciary, particularly the Calcutta High Court, takes serious note of what is happening and acts to uphold the rule of law in West Bengal. And one simple question for Suvendu Adhikari: why are you so scared of the Trinamool Congress and of me that you have to resort to this kind of intimidation? If this is how the Opposition is to be treated in West Bengal, through violence, vandalism and intimidation, then the Chief Minister have no moral authority to remain in office. He must resign. This is not democracy. This is political thuggery. Shame on those responsible. And shame on those who choose to remain silent. Every act like this will be remembered. Every attack, every act of intimidation, every abuse of power. Nothing will be forgotten," he stated.

Banerjee asserted that the event occurred around 4:30 a.m. while he was away in New Delhi, characterising it as a "well-planned attack" organised by the opposition.

"What happened at Camac Street this morning is a disgraceful assault on the rule of law. At around 4.30 am, BJP hooligans, armed with weapons, stormed our party office in the heart of Kolkata. They attacked our people, snatched their phones, smashed furniture, ransacked the premises and destroyed electronic equipment. And where was Kolkata Police? For nearly TWO HOURS, despite repeated calls and emails from our people and lawyers, there was no response. This is outrageous and unacceptable. We demand the immediate arrest of every person involved in this attack," he posted on X.

He further claimed that law enforcement failed to react for almost two hours despite multiple calls and emails from party staff and legal representatives.

"We also demand an investigation into who planned, organised and directed this violence, and why the police failed to act despite being repeatedly informed. No political party and no group of armed hooligans can be above the law. If people can storm a political party office with weapons at 4.30 in the morning, assault people and vandalise property while the police remain absent, then what exactly is left of the rule of law in West Bengal? Enough is enough. Arrest the perpetrators. Fix accountability. Act now," Banerjee added.

The claims come shortly after West Bengal Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming Banerjee, TMC MP Derek O'Brien, and several others for alleged obstruction and assault of police personnel during the removal of an unauthorised hoarding at 9, Camac Street.

The wider row erupted after Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials, supported by Kolkata Police personnel, took down a signboard reading "All India Trinamool Congress" from the structure where Banerjee's office operates.

ANI