What Prompted the Union Home Ministry to Contact Bengal LoP Adhikari Regarding His Convoy Attack?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Union Home Ministry shows concern over political violence.
- LoP Adhikari's convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar.
- Enhanced security measures may be implemented.
- Political tensions rise ahead of state elections.
- Calls for accountability regarding security protocols.
Kolkata, Aug 5 (NationPress) - The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal and BJP figure, Suvendu Adhikari, received an inquiry call from the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday following an attack on his convoy in Cooch Behar town within the Cooch Behar district.
Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, personally reached out to Nisith Pramanik, a former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and the BJP's Lok Sabha representative from Cooch Behar, to discuss the assault on LoP Adhikari.
Subsequently, an official from the Union Home Ministry contacted LoP Adhikari to gather more information about the incident that occurred earlier that day, according to sources.
After detailing the attack, the official also inquired about LoP Adhikari's well-being.
LoP Adhikari reportedly stated during the call that had he not been in a bullet-proof vehicle, the outcome could have been fatal.
He expressed gratitude to the Union Home Ministry for their concern regarding the incident.
Sources indicated that the Union Home Ministry was quite worried about such assaults on LoP Adhikari's convoy.
They mentioned that if required, the security for LoP Adhikari would be enhanced.
“The recurrence of attacks on his vehicle is alarming for the senior BJP leadership, especially as state Assembly elections are set to occur next year,” noted a party insider.
Earlier on Tuesday, LoP Adhikari announced his intent to send a letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, State Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, and State Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, citing security shortcomings despite his entitlement to Z-category security.
LoP Adhikari also intends to remind key state officials that his visit to Cooch Behar was in compliance with a Calcutta High Court order.
This incident unfolded after LoP Adhikari's convoy was attacked while he arrived in Cooch Behar for a planned protest rally.
Alongside 65 other BJP legislators, LoP Adhikari was set to march through Cooch Behar to the district police superintendent's office to hand over a memorandum addressing recent assaults on elected BJP officials in the region.
As the convoy approached Khagrabari in Cooch Behar, a group of Trinamool Congress activists surged from the sides attempting to obstruct the vehicles.
Initially, the Trinamool Congress members protested by displaying black flags at LoP Adhikari.
Soon after, the crowd escalated the situation, launching a violent attack on the convoy with bamboo sticks, iron rods, and hurling stones and bricks at the vehicles.
Fortunately, LoP Adhikari was unharmed due to the bullet-proof glass of his vehicle.