‘TMC men’ chop off panchayat worker’s ear for observing bandh

Trinamool workers on Thursday allegedly attacked a gram panchayat worker and cut off his left ear for not reporting to work during the nationwide bandh yesterday. The incident occurred at the Debipur panchayat office in Murshidabad district.

The victim, Hajrat Omar, was rushed to hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. "I could not report to office yesterday as I did not get transport. Today, after I reached office, a group of 10 to 12 TMC workers screamed at me for not being present in office yesterday. They ransacked the office. When I explained the reason for my absence, they called me a liar and attacked me with a sharp weapon. The weapon hit my ear," Omar was quoted as telling some mediapersons.

"A complaint has been lodged against five persons. The victim was injured after a violent scuffle with some employees of the panchayat. We are yet to seize any sharp weapon. We are investigating the matter," said Murshidabad SP Humayun Kabir.

The West Bengal government had issued a warning to employees against being absent during the two-day strike called by trade unions.

While the TMC has denied its involvement in the attack, the Congress and Left leaders condemned the incident.

State minister Partha Chatterjee termed it as a "small incident". "You should remember that when we call a press conference, we try to uphold the positive and good work of the government. You better get the reaction on these small incidents after I conclude this press conference. Please take note of my reaction on the bigger issues of strikes and shutdowns," he said at a press conference.

"This is like jungle raj... It is shocking," said Congress leader Deepa Dasmunsi.

"The TMC men don't have their own ears and they can't stand other people having their ears in place," said Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Surya Kanta Mishra.

... contd.

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