In a tragic incident in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, a Congress worker named Manik Roy was allegedly beaten to death on Wednesday night. The incident occurred near Roy’s home in Hathat Colony, under the Khargrabari-1 gram panchayat in Maynaguri. Roy was reportedly tied to a tree and assaulted with iron rods and sticks by a group of individuals over a local dispute, according to police sources.
Roy, who was rescued by a police team from Moinaguri, was rushed to the Jalpaiguri Super Specialty Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. The police have arrested five individuals in connection with the attack.
Family members and West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Adhir Chowdhury have alleged that some of the attackers are affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). They claim that Roy had been threatened by TMC-backed goons and had been forced to relocate to Siliguri after the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Upon returning home last Sunday, Roy was allegedly assaulted by the same goons.
Congress worker Soumya Aich Roy criticized the TMC for creating an environment of fear and violence. “This is a stark example of the ruling party’s terror in Bengal,” she said. Adhir Chowdhury demanded a thorough investigation into Roy’s murder, stating that Congress workers are being denied their right to political activity in TMC-controlled West Bengal.
In response, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation. He urged against politicizing the issue, emphasizing that justice must be served without bias.
The situation remains tense as political tensions escalate over the incident, highlighting ongoing conflicts in the region.