Life partially affected in Bengal due to BJP strike

Life was partially affected in West Bengal's Purulia district on Sunday due to a 12-hour strike called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after two of its party workers were allegedly murdered within a span of three days.

Senior BJP leaders, who reached Purulia on Sunday, accused police, Trinamool Congress and miscreants of "acting together".

"Trinamool, miscreants, mafia and police -- all have become one. It is just the local people who are against them. Lot of people who were Maoists earlier are now working for Trinamool," said BJP leader Sayantan Basu.

"This nexus is proved through these murders," he added.

The body of 32-year-old Dulal Kumar was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Dabha village of Purulia district on Saturday morning.

Claiming that the deceased was a prominent party worker, the BJP blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for his death and sought a CBI probe into it.

The body of 20-year-old BJP worker Trilochan Mahato was also found hanging from a tree in Balarampur area of the same district last week with a message inscribed on the back of his T-shirt, accusing him of supporting the BJP.

The Trinamool has, however, denied its involvement in either of the incidents. The state government has handed over the probe to the Criminal Investigation Department.

"Law and order situation has been under control. The strike has affected life partially," a police official of Balrampur police station said.

Most shops remained shut. Private vehicles were off the road while state-owned vehicles were plying.

"Few days back Abhishek Banerjee (Trinamool Congress leader) said they want Purulia devoid of any opposition. This message was clear. Two incidents showed what his message meant," said Locket Chattopadyay, a senior BJP party official.

The twin killings have led to tension in Purulia. The West Bengal BJP held demonstrations, protesting against the killing of their youth activists.

The BJP also demanded imposition of President's rule in the state, as party chief Amit Shah alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government had completely failed to maintain law and order.

Purulia Superintendent of Police Joy Biswas had on Saturday claimed that preliminary investigation suggested the death of Kumar was a case of suicide.

Following this statement, Biswas was transferred by the Mamata Banerjee government to the post of Commanding Officer of State Armed Police 9th Battalion and Akash Magharia was given the charge of Purulia SP.

--IANS

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