In a dramatic incident amidst a 12-hour shutdown in West Bengal, three individuals were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly firing at the car of BJP leader Priyangu Pandey. The incident took place in the Bhatpara region of North 24 Parganas, within Barrackpore, an area known for its political tensions. Pandey claimed that the attack was orchestrated by supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing them of targeting him deliberately.
The altercation unfolded as Priyangu Pandey was en route to visit fellow BJP leader Arjun Singh. According to Pandey, his vehicle was obstructed by a jetting machine placed on the road by Bhatpara Municipality. As his car came to a halt, a mob of around 50 to 60 people surrounded the vehicle. Pandey alleged that 7 to 8 bombs were hurled at his car, followed by 6 to 7 rounds of gunfire. The attack left Pandey’s driver injured, although police later clarified that no bullet wounds were sustained.
Arjun Singh, who accompanied Pandey, corroborated the allegations, claiming that the firing occurred in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). Singh suggested that the attack was a premeditated attempt on Pandey’s life, executed with the collusion of TMC and local law enforcement. Visuals from the scene showed significant damage to the front of Pandey’s vehicle, underlining the intensity of the attack.
The tension in Bhatpara escalated further when a bomb was reportedly found near Pandey’s car, intensifying the already strained relations between BJP and TMC supporters. The shutdown, which led to this incident, was called by the BJP in protest against police action on their supporters during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest march a day earlier.
Condemning the attack, BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya took to social media, blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state police for targeting BJP leaders through extra-constitutional methods. Malviya asserted that the state administration’s tactics would not deter the BJP, and that the party’s agitation would only grow stronger.
The 12-hour shutdown had a noticeable impact on daily life in Bengal. Rail and road blockades were reported at multiple locations, affecting public transportation. In Kolkata, fewer buses, taxis, and autorickshaws were operational, and private vehicles were scarce. While schools, colleges, and markets remained open, attendance was low, especially in private offices, where employees were advised to work from home. Government offices, however, reported normal attendance.
