Bjp Supporters Attack West Bengal Ministers

Three West Bengal ministers, Biswanath Choudhury, Minati Ghosh and Biren Moitra were allegedly attacked by some supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the New Farakka railway station on January 28, 1997. The ministers said yesterday the BJP supporters had raided the compartments of the trains by which they were returning to Calcutta from Malda. The raiders also looted the ministers belongings including cash.

Home secretary Leena Chakrovarty said the state government had ordered an inquiry into the incident by the inspector general of police (railways) and local police authorities.

Buddhadev Bhattacharya, home (police) minister condemning the incident said it revealed the uncivil behaviour of the BJP supporters. He would meet the police officials to find out why the police had failed to take any action against the unruly persons.

Biswanath Choudhury, minister for jails, said their compartment was ransacked by some persons after they had entered the reserved compartment forcibly opening the doors. The police though present did not take any action.The BJP supporters had also kept the driver and guard of the train under confinement.

Minati Ghosh, minister of state for health said she had lost Rs 800. Those who had entered her compartment also took away a coat belonging to her son.

Biren Moitra, minister for agricultural marketing, complained the raiders had entered his compartment by breaking open the doors and windows and escaped with Rs 8,000 in his possession.

All the ministers said they had brought the incident to the notice of the Chief Minister, home minister and senior officials of the state police.