Union minister Babul Supriyo hurt in mob attack in Asansol

Union Minister Babul Supriyo was allegedly attacked and injured during a clash in Asansol town of West Bengal's Bardhaman district on Wednesday.

While he accused Trinamool Congress supporters for the indident, a ruling party leader said the clash was an outcome of the infighting in the BJP.

The clash broke out when Bharatiya Janata Party activists led by Supriyo staged a demonstration in front of Bengal Minister and Asansol North legislator Moloy Ghatak's house, accusing him of involvement in "cow smuggling".

"We decided to hold a peaceful demonstration in front of Moloy Ghatak's house to protest against his involvement in cow smuggling case but hundreds of Trinamool supporters gathered there beforehand and beat up my party leaders," Supriyo said.

The situation went out of hand when a mob surrounded the Union Minister's convoy and damaged his car near BNR Crossing.

"The TMC supporters attacked my convoy, vandalised my car and hurled stones at me. I got hit in the chest," Babul said.

Babul claimed he had permission for holding a peaceful demonstration but the state police denied it.

"We did not give him any permission to hold such a demonstration. He was not supposed to go there," said Asansol Police commissioner Laxmi Narayan Meena.

"Police have not arrested anyone for the attack on Babul Supriyo as no FIR has been lodged by anyone," he said.

The local Trinamool leadership also denied the party's involvement and claimed it was a fallout of the BJP's internal feud.

"We have checked. None of our party workers were involved in the agitation. Babul's own party workers attacked him for some unknown reason," said Asansol Mayor Jitendra Tiwari.

--IANS

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