BJP urges Bengal governor to take steps for restoring peace

West Bengal's opposition BJP Thursday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of unleashing "gruesome" violence against its party workers and urged Governor M.K. Naraynan to initiate steps for restoring peace and democracy in the state.

"West Bengal is presently passing through a massive spate of post-poll violence, which is being unleashed against BJP workers and activists all over Bengal and is getting increasingly gruesome and fatal with every passing day," state Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahul Sinha and general secretary Samik Bhattacharya said in a letter to Narayanan.

"From Cooch Behar in north Bengal to Sundarbans in south Bengal, every nook and corner of urban and rural Bengal bears testimony to Trinamool's undemocratic harassment and torture," they added.

Alleging that an armed gang of 40-50 Trinamool men had attacked local BJP workers and sympathisers at Rampur Gayen Para Halder Bheri area in North 24 Parganas District May 27, the leaders said the "goons" indulged in indiscriminate firing which left 24 BJP activists injured.

They said of the injured, 13 had "grievous injury" and were admitted to the SSKM hospital here. "Three of the victims are still fighting for their lives."

The letter said while the injured and their family members were being threatened by goons, a case was lodged against 28 BJP workers ofr murder, arson, looting and other crimes.

Detailing four other incidents of violence in other districts, the BJP requested the governor to ensure "necessary steps" including preventive arrests be made to ensure peace and harmony.