PANIHATI, May 7 — Tensions soared in West Bengal on Thursday as five BJP workers were wounded in a bomb blast in Panihati, marking the second major attack on the party in the district within 24 hours. The explosion took place while party supporters were conducting a public interaction on Datta Road, shortly after motorcycle-borne gunmen shot dead Chandranath Rath, a prominent aide to leader Suvendu Adhikari.
According to local witnesses, the assault was carried out by men on motorcycles who threw a country-made bomb at the workers near St. Xavier’s Institute. The injured individuals are currently receiving medical care at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Police declared that the area has been placed under heavy security to stabilize the situation. The incident has drawn significant attention as it occurred near the home of BJP MLA Ratna Debnath.
The state leadership of the BJP asserted that the attacks are part of a coordinated campaign supported by the Trinamool Congress to intimidate the opposition. Trinamool representatives have dismissed these accusations as baseless. Investigating officers noted that they are utilizing technical surveillance and CCTV records to trace the path taken by the attackers.
“Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace,” a senior police official affirmed. He stated that the police are conducting targeted raids across the district to nab the culprits responsible for the series of violent acts. He affirmed that the department is maintaining a high state of alert and urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure communal harmony is not disturbed.
