According to police, a group of BJP workers allegedly dragged Tatan Gayen, considered close to TMC MLA Sukumar Mahata, out of his home and beat him up. The group also attacked TMC leader Dilip Mandal, who lived nearby. The incident occurred a stone’s throw away from the Sandeshkhali police station.

The attack led to fresh tension in Sandeshkhali, following which massive police force and RPF units were deployed in the area.

In a purported video that surfaced from Sandeshkhali on Saturday night, a local BJP leader was heard saying that over 70 women had received Rs 2,000 each for taking part in protests against TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides who were accused of sexual assault and land grab.

Meanwhile, the TMC Sunday lodged a complaint with EC against Rekha Sharma, chairperson of National Commission for Women, accusing her of committing “forgery, cheating, fraud, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy by exploiting innocent women of Sandeshkhali for political gains”.