Accompanied by his supporters, Bose stormed into the Canning police station and confronted officers on Tuesday. After a heated exchange of words, he allegedly assaulted police personnel, including a sub-inspector, while demanding the release of Jayanta Ghorai.
The alleged incident has sparked controversy and political tension in the region. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition, expressed outrage and called for a thorough investigation. He also demanded the release of CCTV footage from the police station.
On social media, the BJP leader alleged that both Bose and Ghorai were close associates of Canning Paschim MLA Paresh Ram Das. He further wrote that Ghorai was involved in extorting money from vehicles in the guise of collecting donations for Kali Puja. When the police intervened, a confrontation ensued, leading to the Trinamool worker’s detention, he added.
“Allegations are surfacing that TMC Canning-I Block Youth President Aritra Bose beat up police inside the Canning police station today and forcefully got Trinamool Youth Leader Jayanta Ghorai released from the lockup. Both of them are close associates of Canning Paschim TMC MLA Paresh Das. There are reports that Jayanta was extorting money from vehicles in the guise of seeking donations for Kali Puja. When the Canning police arrived after receiving information and confronted him, a scuffle broke out. Police detained Jayanta and took him to the police station. After about half an hour, Aritra Bose, who is also the Karmadakhya of Panchayat Samiti, arrived at the police station with his supporters. He then manhandled the Sub-Inspector who detained Jayanta and forcefully opened the lockup to release him illegally. Since then, IC Canning PS Sougata Ghosh and Canning SDPO Ram Kumar Mondal have been trying to cover up the issue to allow Aritra Bose and Jayanta Ghorai to go scot-free. I am requesting DGP @WBPolice to conduct a proper inquiry and release the CCTV footage to the press so that the truth can be established. If the alleged incident is true, then those who have shown the audacity to assault policemen within the police station must be punished adequately as per the provisions of the law,” Adhikari wrote.
Palash Chandra Dhali, Superintendent of Police, Baruipur, did not respond to calls.
Meanwhile, TMC MLA Paresh Ram Das has dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated. “I was in Kolkata all day. Bose had a fever; he is sleeping at home. In fact, I do not know of any such incident that happened. Suvendu Adhikari is lying just to be in the headlines.”
The police have reportedly transferred two police officers to the Baruipur district police headquarters after the incident. However, no arrests have been made in connection with the alleged assault on the police.