After Suvendu aide shot dead, Panihati bomb attack triggers fresh Bengal tension

Fresh violence erupted in parts of West Bengal on Thursday, with three BJP supporters injured in a bomb attack in Panihati just hours after the murder of Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath.

The bomb explosion took place near St. Xavier’s School in Panihati in North 24 Parganas district. All three injured persons reportedly suffered leg injuries and were admitted to Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital.

According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Ward No. 2 on Wednesday night when several motorcycle-borne miscreants allegedly arrived and hurled bombs before fleeing the scene.

The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the All India Trinamool Congress. Local BJP leaders claimed that all the injured persons were party supporters. The Trinamool Congress denied the allegations.

The blast site is located close to the residence of Abhaya’s mother, who recently won the Assembly election from the constituency. Heavy tension gripped the area after the attack, prompting deployment of police forces. Officers have launched a probe to identify those involved.

Rath was shot dead on Wednesday night in the Doharia area between Doltala and Madhyamgram Chowmatha in North 24 Parganas.

Rath’s driver, Buddhadeb Bera, was also seriously injured in the firing. Senior police officials, including West Bengal DGP Siddhinath Gupta, visited the crime scene soon after the attack.

Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also reached the area.

Police are examining CCTV footage and have reportedly gathered crucial leads in the murder investigation. CID officials visited the area on Thursday morning and started a parallel probe.

In another incident linked to the spiralling unrest, a BJP worker identified as Rohit Roy alias Chintu was reportedly shot and injured in Basirhat.

The back-to-back incidents have intensified political tensions in the state, with the BJP targeting the ruling All India Trinamool Congress over the deteriorating law-and-order situation.