New Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday strongly refuted allegations of malicious intent while conducting raids and arrests in a two-year-old blast case. An angry mob attacked the NIA team in East Medinipur district of West Bengal.
On Saturday, an NIA team that had gone to arrest two people in connection with a December 2022 blast in Bhupatinagar was attacked by a mob in which an NIA officer was injured and a vehicle was damaged.
An NIA spokesperson rejected allegations of malicious intent while conducting raids and arrests in the blast case. The NIA spokesperson described the entire incident as ‘unfortunate’ and clarified that the attack on his team was ‘without any provocation’.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal on Sunday alleged that there is an ‘unholy nexus’ between the NIA and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party also said that the Election Commission has maintained ‘conspicuous silence’ on the issue.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on social media platform ‘X’, “There is an alliance between NIA and BJP. “Conspiracies are being hatched against Trinamool Congress leaders and the Model Code of Conduct.” Banerjee said, “This collusion continues. “The Election Commission is ignoring its responsibilities to ensure impartiality by maintaining silence.”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Saturday alleged that the villagers did not attack the NIA officials in Bhupatinagar area of East Medinipur district, but the NIA officials attacked them (villagers).
“The attack was completely unprovoked and was an attempt to prevent the NIA from discharging its duties,” the NIA said. It said the searches were conducted at five locations in the presence of independent witnesses and under the security cover provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The NIA spokesperson said that the arrests were made after following all legal procedures.
“The NIA reiterates that the unruly mob attacked the NIA personnel who were taking the arrested accused Manobrata Jana to the local police station to complete the legal formalities,” the spokesperson said. He said, “An NIA officer was injured in the attack and an NIA vehicle was also damaged.”
The NIA has already filed a complaint with the regional police station demanding legal action against the attackers. On Saturday, the NIA had arrested Manobrata Jana and Belicharan Maiti for their involvement in this case. The NIA also said that despite repeated summons being sent to join the investigation, both had not appeared before the agency.
Three people were killed in the explosion that took place in Bhupatinagar on December 3, 2022. Later the investigation of the case was handed over to NIA. This incident of attack on the NIA team on Saturday was reminiscent of the incident of January 5, when Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked during a raid in connection with the ration scam in Sandeshkhali area of North 24 Parganas.
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Tags: NIA, TMC, west bengal
FIRST PUBLISHED: April 7, 2024, 21:09 IST