TMC calls for peace in Basirhat

State Food and supplies minister, Jyotipriyo Mullick on Thursday urged party workers to maintain peace at Panigobra village in Basirhat where Trinamool Congress leader ATM Mohammad along with several others were beaten up by CPI(M) backed goons on Wednesday.

Mohammad who lost to CPI(M) nominee in the Assembly election was beaten up by CPI(M) workers on Wednesday. His security guard who tried to save him also received injuries. Both were admitted to Barasat district hospital. In retaliation TMC workers attacked CPI(M) supporters and a series of clashes ensued.

Four TMC workers were hospitalised. The houses of 11 TMC workers were torched and another 31 houses ransacked. Many people left the village anticipating violent retaliation.  The police arrested eight persons.

Mullick who visited the village on Thursday morning said the party MLAs on Thursday met and discussed the ways and means to be followed to restore peace in the area. The MLAs did not visit the area as it was reeling under tension. He said a CPI(M) victory procession had been taken out on Wednesday morning. Mohammad and his security guard were going on a two wheeler which Mohammad was driving. Two youth stopped them and beat up Mohammad.

The security guard was also beaten up. He was hit with a bamboo stick on his head and was given 16 stitches. Following this series of clashes ensued between the followers of both the parties. A large contingent of police was deployed who brought the situation under control. Mullick said party workers had been asked not to retaliate. He said throughout the state the party leaders had tried to maintain peace. 

“We do not believe in taking revenge. But had CPI(M) come to power with 211 seats, they would have killed all of us,” he said. He added that relief materials had been sent to the people whose houses had been damaged. Meanwhile, Inspector in charge of Basirhat was transferred on Thursday.