Three TMC workers arrested over unrest outside Abhishek Banerjee’s residence

Three Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers have been arrested in connection with the unrest outside party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's residence in south Kolkata, following clashes between rival political supporters during celebrations marking the MP's birthday.

The arrests mark a fresh development in the investigation into the violence that broke out in the Kalighat area in the early hours of Saturday, triggering a political confrontation between the Trinamool Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal.

The incident occurred when Trinamool supporters gathered outside Banerjee's residence to celebrate his 39th birthday. The gathering reportedly turned violent following an altercation involving local BJP supporters, with both sides accusing each other of provoking the confrontation.

Police have registered four First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the incident, including two cases initiated on their own following allegations of attacks on police personnel.

𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱

According to police accounts, the clashes occurred between approximately 2 am and 3.30 am on Saturday after rival groups confronted each other near Banerjee's residence.

The confrontation reportedly involved heated arguments, sloganeering, stone-pelting and physical assaults, prompting police intervention.

Of the four FIRs registered at Kalighat police station, two were lodged by police in connection with alleged assaults on personnel attempting to restore order.

Banerjee has been named in one of the police-initiated cases.

A separate FIR was registered following a complaint by the Diamond Harbour MP, who alleged that unidentified BJP workers attacked his supporters and targeted his residence.

The fourth FIR was filed following a complaint by BJP workers, who accused Banerjee and his supporters of obstructing a public road during the birthday celebrations and becoming involved in clashes with local residents.

Earlier reports on Sunday had confirmed two arrests for allegedly assaulting police personnel, while the latest ANI report states that three TMC workers have been arrested.

𝗔𝗯𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸

Banerjee alleged that BJP supporters carried out a planned attack on his residence and nearby party office after conducting surveillance of the premises for two days.

He claimed the attackers used sticks and stones, injured several party workers and damaged property.

The Trinamool leader also alleged that the incident amounted to an attempt on his life and criticised the police for failing to prevent the violence.

He accused some police personnel of remaining passive during the confrontation while others who attempted to intervene were allegedly assaulted.

The authenticity of the videos circulated in connection with the incident and the competing allegations made by the political parties have not been independently established.

Police have been examining CCTV footage from the locality to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify those involved.

𝗕𝗝𝗣 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The BJP rejected Banerjee's allegations and accused Trinamool supporters of creating a disturbance by organising birthday celebrations on a public road.

BJP leaders claimed that the gathering obstructed movement in the locality at a time when preparations were underway for Kali Puja.

They alleged that local residents faced difficulties because of the celebrations and that the confrontation followed objections to the obstruction.

The Trinamool Congress, however, maintained that its workers had been attacked without provocation.

The rival accounts have intensified political tensions in the state, with both parties demanding action against those responsible.

𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁

Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the area outside her nephew's residence on Saturday and joined a protest against the alleged attack.

She accused BJP supporters of creating disturbances in Kalighat and questioned the police response to the violence.

Mamata also raised concerns over arrangements for Kali Puja celebrations, alleging that permissions for some traditional pujas had been withdrawn while other gatherings were permitted.

The former chief minister said she would pursue the matter through appropriate legal channels and raised questions about the safety of opposition leaders in the state.

Meanwhile, police imposed restrictions on gatherings around the residence and deployed additional personnel to prevent further disturbances.

The investigation is continuing, with authorities examining complaints from both political groups and allegations of attacks on police personnel.

The arrests and multiple FIRs have added a legal dimension to the political confrontation, which began with the overnight clashes and subsequently escalated into protests and competing allegations of violence.