Kolkata, 7 May

Five BJP workers gathered near the residence of Panihati MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder victim, were injured in a crude bomb attack in North 24 Parganas on Thursday. This was hours after close aide of West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was killed.

Police said the blast occurred near St Xavier’s Institutionin Panihati late on Wednesday night when BJP workers were interacting with residents in Ward 2 of Dutta Road. A group of motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly hurled crude bombs before fleeing the spot. The injured were admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Officials said a heavy police deployment has been made in the area, with CCTV footage being examined and raids underway to identify those involved.

BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, a charge denied by the TMC.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at a closed-door meeting with newly elected MLAs and senior leaders at her Kalighat residence, said she would not resign. “Let them impose President’s Rule if they want. Let them dismiss me if they want,” she was quoted as saying by PTI. She also described the situation as a “black day” for the party.