Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP, Media of Maligning West Bengal Over Mob Incident

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP and certain media channels of tarnishing the state's image over a viral video of a 2021 mob assault in North 24 Parganas. She contended that the media aired the footage repeatedly ahead of by-elections to damage the TMC's reputation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday leveled accusations against the BJP and a portion of the media, claiming they were intent on maligning the state's reputation in the wake of a recent mob assault incident in Ariadaha, North 24 Parganas district.

Addressing reporters at the Kolkata airport, Banerjee explained that the viral video clip was from an incident two years ago, dating back when Arjun Singh was the BJP MP for Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency.

She criticized certain TV channels for repeatedly airing the old footage ahead of Wednesday's by-elections, alleging they were acting at the BJP's behest. Banerjee argued that this was a deliberate effort to defame the state, particularly post-BJP's electoral defeat in Bengal.

The TMC leader claimed that some media houses were biased towards the BJP due to pressure of potential CBI-ED raids and called on the media to verify facts with the police before broadcasting news. Banerjee also warned of possible legal action if the media continued with purportedly misleading coverage.

An old video clip showing a young girl being assaulted in Ariadaha led to a suo motu police case and the arrest of three individuals, including TMC leader Jayant Singh. Barrackpore Police Commissioner CP Alok Rajoria stated that eight people have been identified from the footage, with stringent actions to follow.

(With inputs from agencies.)