Concerted effort to force TMC workers to stay away from politics or join BJP

Kolkata: The sole purpose behind the 'Reign of Terror' unleashed by the BJP in vast areas surrounding Bhatpara on Thursday is to scare the Trinamool Congress workers and force them to either join BJP or keep themselves away from politics in the entire Barrackpore sub-division.

Bhatpara, which is otherwise a peaceful area in North 24-Parganas, became the epicentre of violence since Arjun Singh joined the BJP from TMC shortly before the general elections. Singh, who was nominated as a BJP candidate from Barrackpore, defeated the sitting Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi. Following Singh's victory, Trinamool Congress MLAs from Bijpur and Noapara, Subhrangshu Roy and Sunil Singh joined the saffron party.

Pawan Singh, Arjun's son, won the Bhatpara by-election by defeating Madan Mitra. Partha Bhowmick, Trinamool Congress MLA from Naihati, is putting up a lone battle.

In Barrackpore sub-division, the TMC has control over Naihati, Jagatdal, Barrackpore, Panihati and Barranagore. Manas Mukherjee of the CPI(M) is the MLA from Kamarhati. BJP has taken control over Bhatpara, Kanchrapara and Halisahar municipalities while the state government has deputed an administrator in Naihati municipality. Locals alleged that the BJP has deployed a large number of Hindi-speaking outsiders to create trouble in the area. They are putting pressure on the Trinamool rank and file so that they stay aloof from politics. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee had recently visited Naihati to cheer up the party workers.

The outsiders are putting enormous pressure on the Muslims as well. They have allegedly told the Muslims that they will give them full protection if they join BJP.

An uneasy calm prevails in vast areas surrounding Bhatpara like Jagatdal, Kankinara, Naihati where most of the shops have downed shutters. The slum dwellers have kept themselves indoors. Despite the Chief Minister's instructions, the police have taken a softer stand against the outsiders. Jyotipriya Mallick, TMC president, North 24-Parganas demanded that the outsiders should be arrested immediately.

"Bhatpara is a peaceful area but the BJP is turning it into a trouble-torn zone. The police have been instructed to arrest the criminals," he said.