Kolkata. The incident of a couple being beaten up in public in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district has sparked outrage. Governor C.V. Anand Bose has sought a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the incident, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of “Taliban rule” in the state.
A video of the incident has surfaced in which a man is seen beating the couple with a stick. The man who beat them has been identified as Tajmul alias ‘JCB’. It is claimed that he is a local Trinamool Congress leader. He was arrested last night. The accused was produced in a local court from where he was sent to five-day police custody. The police registered a case on Sunday after the video clip of the incident, which took place on Friday, went public on social media.
PTI-Bhasha could not independently verify the video. The BJP has alleged that Tajamul has links with Chopra MLA Hamidul Islam.
A new video has also emerged in which Tajamul is seen beating another couple a few days ago. West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose on Monday sought a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the incident. Officials said the governor was shocked by the incident and described it as “barbaric”.
An official told PTI-Bhasha, “The governor has condemned the incident and sought an immediate report from Chief Minister Banerjee.” BJP women MLAs in West Bengal on Monday protested in the assembly premises over the attack on the couple and alleged atrocities against women in different parts of the state.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said, “The Trinamool government’s politics of appeasement has made the state a hub of anti-social activities. It seems that the ruling Trinamool Congress and its goons have established Taliban rule in the state.” The West Bengal Police said on Monday that some sections are making malicious attempts to spread misinformation and give a political color to the incident.
West Bengal Police posted on ‘X’, “The truth is that on coming to know about the incident, the police immediately identified the culprit and arrested him. A suo motu case has been registered in the matter and investigation is underway. Police protection has been provided to the victims….” Senior Trinamool Congress leader Shantanu Sen condemned the incident and said the state government was taking all necessary action to deal with the situation.
Trinamool spokesperson said, “We do not support such incidents. Security has been provided to the victims. No one involved in this will be spared.” However, the controversy intensified after the statement of local MLA Islam that “the couple was spoiling the society with an illicit relationship” and BJP reacted sharply to it.
Local MLA Islam said, “The couple was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship due to which they were beaten up. They were dirtying the society with their act.” MLA Islam said, “It is wrong for a woman to be involved in an illicit relationship despite having a son and a husband. Is this not a crime? Is this not an immoral act?” Paul criticized the Trinamool Congress MLA and asked whether Trinamool has “implemented Sharia law in the state.” According to the police, the victim boy and girl were allegedly having an illicit relationship due to which they were beaten up publicly on the instructions of a ‘kangaroo court’ (illegal court).