Arrests in BJP Leaders' Attack Spark Controversy in North Bengal

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on BJP leaders in North Bengal, leading to further political tensions. The BJP accuses the ruling TMC of orchestrating the violence. A call for a CBI inquiry and the invocation of the SC/ST Act has intensified the situation.

The Jalpaiguri police arrested two suspects in connection with the attack on BJP MP Khagen Murmu and BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh in North Bengal, officials confirmed. Nabbed around 3 am from the Nagrakata area, the accused, Shahanoor Alam and Tofail Hossain, face allegations of direct involvement.

BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh criticized the arrests as an "eyewash," expressing doubts about their true involvement in the incident. "We need to ascertain if those arrested are truly guilty or if these are mere eyewash tactics," Ghosh told ANI, highlighting severe injuries from what he described as an attempted mob lynching.

The attack occurred amid the leaders' visit to North Bengal, following a landslide and flood crisis, escalating the political fray between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar emphasized the issue of law and order and called for a CBI inquiry, insisting on the invocation of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)