12 arrested for allegedly stripping, beating 3 sadhus in West Bengal
Purulia/Kolkata, Jan 13: A purported video of three monks being attacked by a mob in West Bengal's Purulia over suspicion that they were "kidnappers in disguise" has triggered a political row, with opposition BJP alleging collapse of law and order in the state.
The TMC, meanwhile, accused the BJP of trying to give a communal twist to the incident.
In the video, the authenticity of which PTI could not independently verify, the monks, who were on their way to the Gangasagar Mela, could be seen getting roughed up by a group of people in Kashipur.
The Purulia Police, in a post on X, said the incident took place due to a misunderstanding.
"Facts are being misrepresented from certain quarters about a recent incident in Purulia. The fact is, on 11.01.24 afternoon, there was a misunderstanding between three Gangasagar-bound sadhus with three local minor girls near Kashipur over a language problem.
"The girls got scared, and local people manhandled the sadhus, damaging their vehicle and alleging a kidnapping attempt. Local police promptly intervened and rescued the sadhus," it said.
Twelve people have been arrested in this regard based on a specific case, police said.
"All possible assistance was rendered to the sadhus. There is no communal overtone whatsoever regarding the incident. Anyone trying to fuel communal passions will be strictly dealt with as per law," it added.
The post by Purulia Police was also circulated by the TMC media cell.
Reacting to the incident, Union minister Anurag Thakur, who was in the city to attend a programme, remarked on the "politics of appeasement" in West Bengal.
"The politics of appeasement has led to such a situation. A curfew-like scenario is being created in Bengal (ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony) so that Hindus are not allowed to participate in the joyous moment. And now, there are allegations that the sadhus have been beaten up, and attempts were made to kill them," he said.
"The state government is not doing anything... Where is the appeasement politics taking West Bengal? Why is this anti-Hindu thought process being created?" Thakur said.
The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister also alleged that law and order in the state has collapsed under Mamata Banerjee's rule.
The state BJP leadership, too, came down heavily on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, claiming that those behind the "assault" on the seers were linked to the ruling party.
"Shocking incident from Purulia; sadhus en route to Gangasagar were stripped and beaten by criminals linked to TMC, echoing the Palghar tragedy. Under @MamataOfficial's rule, a terrorist like Shahjahan gets state protection while sadhus face violence. Being Hindu is a crime in WB," BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said on X'.
Majumdar was referring to the 2020 incident at Gadchinchale in Maharashtra's Palghar district, where a mob lynched two monks and their driver, suspecting them to be child-lifters.
The BJP leader also made mention of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, an accused in a multi-crore ration distribution scam.
Majumdar said he has got in touch with the sadhus, and has assured about their safe journey to the Gangasagar Mela.
The TMC, meanwhile, dubbed the BJP's allegations as "baseless" and said Thakur should first address the "deteriorating" law and order situation in states under its rule.
"The police have taken prompt action in the case. The BJP is trying its dirty tricks, attempting to give a communal twist. We condemn such an attempt. The party, before commenting on the law and order situation in Bengal, should look at the lawless situation in the BJP-ruled states," TMC minister Shashi Panja said.
Shame on @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/dhqHm3kpYY
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) January 12, 2024
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
