Security forces deployed in Nandigram as BJP protests against party worker's killing

NEW DELHI: Heavy security has been deployed in West Bengal's Nandigram, Purba Medinipur after BJP workers staged a massive protest against the alleged killing of a party worker on Thursday.
Just a few days ahead of the sixth phase of polling for the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal on May 25, the BJP claimed that several of their workers were attacked by TMC workers last night and killed a worker named Rathirani Ari, 38.
The protesters burnt tyres, blocked roads, and forced shops to close down, claiming that criminals backed by the TMC were responsible for Ari's death.

In response to the killing, the BJP called for a bandh in Nandigram but later withdrew it, as stated by a local BJP leader. The police reported that Ari was killed and several others were injured when unidentified armed assailants on motorcycles attacked them late Wednesday night.
BJP's allegation
BJP alleged that TMC-backed criminals were responsible for the killing of Rathibala Arhi, a saffron party worker in Sonachura village.
BJP's district general secretary Meghnadh Paul told, "Ari and several other party workers were given the responsibility to guard a local polling booth last night. TMC-backed criminals attacked them. She was murdered and others were injured there." Among the seven people reportedly injured, one was in critical condition and had to be transferred to a hospital in Kolkata.
Taking to X, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, in a reference to TMC national secretary Abhishek Banerjee's speech in the area, alleged that the Nandigram incident was a "direct fallout of Bhaipo (nephew)'s provocation."
"The bloodshed was a direct fallout of Bhaipo (nephew)'s provocation in Nandigram yesterday. The murder was orchestrated by the Trinamool after realising its certain defeat. The hands of the jihadis do not tremble before hacking a woman to death. The BJP will see this through to its end, exact revenge in a legal manner, and respond by democratic means," Adhikari said.
Later, while addressing an election rally in Kanthi, Adhikari hit out at Abhishek Banerjee and alleged that the murder was a result of the latter's provocation.
"I am the son of the soil (Bhumiputra). I will take revenge for this incident. This bloodshed is the result of the provocation of Abhishek Banerjee during yesterday's rally in Nandigram. The TMC committed this barbaric killing because they are sure about their defeat here."
The state BJP also wrote to the chief electoral officer of West Bengal urging him to immediately remove the SP of Purba Medinipur district.
The BJP also alleged that the woman's murder was the "consequence of inflammatory statements made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during an election rally in Haldia on May 16."
TMS refuses allegations
However, TMC leader in Nandigram Swadesh Das refuted the allegations, suggesting that the killing might have been a result of family disputes.
A senior district police officer stated that an investigation into the woman's killing is ongoing. The Nandigram assembly constituency, which is part of the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat, is set to hold polls on Saturday.
TMC leader Rajib Banerjee says "We are very upset that such an incident took place today. TMC never wants any person to die. TMC is not involved in this. This is BJP's internal matter. TMC is being dragged into this matter unnecessarily. Let Police investigate this..."
Meanwhile, TMC leader Santanu Sen, however, called the incident a "reflection of BJP's internal feud between the party's old-timers and its new recruits in Nandigram".
"The BJP realises that come Saturday, it will fare badly in the region. In its desperation, the BJP is trying to pin the reflections of its factional fights on the Trinamool," Sen alleged.
(With inputs from agencies)