Rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal, once a close aide of former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, was heckled and allegedly threatened by a group of youths who vandalised a party office in Suri, the headquarters of Birbhum district, on Wednesday, police said. Mondal was inside the office when the youths allegedly confronted him, pulled him by his kurta and questioned him over what they described as 15 years of oppression under the TMC in the district.
Armed with sticks and tree branches, the youths smashed chairs, tables, glass panels and an air-conditioning unit despite Mondal's repeated appeals to stop, according to a video that surfaced on social media. The attackers allegedly warned him that he would not be allowed to leave the premises, while Mondal attempted to reason with them.
Attackers question Mondal over past allegations
In the video, one of the attackers is heard questioning Mondal about alleged oppression during his tenure as the TMC's district president. Another youth confronted him over allegations that people had been assaulted during his leadership, prompting Mondal to ask whom he had beaten.
At one point, an attacker struck a table with a tree branch, sending shards of glass towards Mondal. The youths continued damaging the office even as he repeatedly urged them to listen to him.
Incident comes amid political realignment
The incident assumes political significance following Mondal's association with the rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee, which aligned with the Democratic Trinamool Congress-Congress camp after breaking away from the Mamata Banerjee-led party. Mondal, once a powerful organisational figure in Birbhum, had shifted to the rebel camp following the political split.
However, it was not immediately clear whether the youths involved in the attack were associated with any political organisation. Several men gathered outside the office defended the vandalism, alleging that Mondal had subjected people to oppression during his years in power.
Police intervene, probe underway
Police subsequently reached the office and brought the situation under control. Mondal later left the premises with the assistance of two associates and entered his vehicle without responding to reporters' questions.
Both Trinamool Congress factions condemned the attack. Police said they were examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.