5 BJP workers hurt in Panihati crude bomb attack amid Bengal post-poll violence
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
At least five Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were seriously injured after crude bombs were hurled at them in the Panihati area of North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, according to police on Thursday, 7 May. The attack occurred past midnight on Dutta Road in Ward No. 2 of Panihati Municipality, adding to a surge of post-poll violence that has gripped the state since election results were declared on 4 May.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to eyewitnesses, the BJP workers were engaged in conversations with local residents when several bike-borne assailants arrived at the spot. Four individuals on the bikes allegedly hurled three crude bombs in quick succession before fleeing the area. The blasts left five BJP workers critically injured.
The injured were rushed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where they are reportedly undergoing treatment. Their condition was described as serious at the time of admission.
Police and Security Response
Officers from Khardah Police Station reached the scene shortly after the incident, followed by central security forces, who helped bring the situation under control and conducted area patrolling. The Khardah police have launched a formal investigation, with authorities examining CCTV footage from the vicinity and initiating a search for the accused.
Part of a Wider Wave of Violence
The Panihati bombing took place just hours after the killing of Chandranath Rath, the long-time personal assistant of senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram — approximately 7 kilometres from Panihati — by assailants while he was on his way home.
This comes amid a broader pattern of post-poll violence reported across West Bengal following the 4 May assembly election results. Incidents have included attacks on All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, vandalisation of party offices, destruction of party posters, and targeted assaults on BJP workers resulting in multiple injuries.
Adhikari's Reaction and BJP's Accusation
Reacting to the string of incidents, Suvendu Adhikari said,