Bombs hurled, shots fired outside BJP leader Arjun Singh’s residence in Bengal's Bhatpara
Kolkata (PTI): Unidentified miscreants hurled bombs and opened fire outside the residence of BJP leader and former MP Arjun Singh in West Bengal’s Bhatpara, police said on Thursday.
A youth suffered injuries in the attack that took place late on Wednesday, they said.
Singh and his close associates reportedly chased the assailants, forcing them to flee the spot.
“The situation is now under control. Those involved will not be spared... legal action will be taken against the culprits,” Barrackpore Police Commissioner Ajay Thakur said.
Singh alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Sunita Singh’s son, Namit Singh, was behind the attack.
“He opened fire in front of the police. There was indiscriminate firing and bombing,” the former MP claimed.
According to police sources, the violence erupted following a dispute between two groups of workers at Meghna Jute Mill in the area.
Meanwhile, TMC’s Jagaddal MLA Somnath Shyam accused Singh and his supporters of instigating violence.
“Arjun Singh and his men attacked workers in the Meghna Jute Mill and fired bullets. The youth was shot by Singh, and three to four more people were injured in his group’s attack. We demand Singh’s immediate arrest, or we will launch a larger protest,” he said.
Namit Singh reportedly arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the unrest.
Soon after, the situation escalated, leading to gunfire and bombing, police said.
Describing the sequence of events, Singh said, “Around 10:30 pm, I suddenly heard two rounds of gunshots. I was in Majdoor Bhavan with my close associates. I rushed outside and headed towards Meghna Mor. As soon as we reached the spot, miscreants opened fire at us.”
Singh claimed that at least five to seven rounds were fired.
Following the attack, he and his associates chased the assailants, during which one of them fell into a drain and suffered injuries.
A large police contingent, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, was deployed in the area to control the situation.
Several empty cartridges and live bombs have been recovered from the spot, officials said.
The injured youth was initially taken to Bhatpara State General Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a hospital in Kolkata, police said.
Patrolling has been intensified in Bhatpara to prevent any further escalation, the officials added.
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My party will complete 5-year term, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.
Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.
“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.
On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”
Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.
The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.
The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.
