In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the nation, a video has emerged from Lakshmipur gram panchayat in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, showing a woman and her alleged lover being brutally attacked by a group of men. The reason behind this horrific act is equally disturbing.
According to reports, the woman had eloped with her lover shortly after her marriage. Upon her return, the panchayat ordered her to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to her husband.
When she failed to deposit the amount, a group of goons, allegedly associated with local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Hamidul Rahman, attacked the couple in a manner reminiscent of the Taliban’s brutality. The video, which has since gone viral, shows the accused, identified as Tajamul Islam alias JCB, leading the attack on the couple.
In response to the video, the police have taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and registered a case against Tajamul, who is said to be a close aide of local MLA Hamidul Rahman.
Woman beaten like an animal on the streets of Bengal
Where is Mamata Banerjee? pic.twitter.com/3SZQ8t0hwm
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) July 1, 2024
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various political quarters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), along with other opposition members, have described the act as “Talibani” and undemocratic.
CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim first shared the video and alleged that the main accused seen in the video is a local TMC goon known as JCB. According to him, the local goon runs a kangaroo court where he allegedly serves summary trials and punishments like the Taliban.
Notably, as per a TV9 Bangla video report, a police vehicle was present within a few meters of the spot where the accused assaulted the victims. A green jeep resembling a police vehicle can be seen in the video, with the word ‘Patrol’ written on it. The vehicle stopped at the place, but nobody intervened.
The incident took place in Chopra’s Lakshmipur village in the Dighalgaon area. The accused is identified as local Bahubali leader Tajamul, popularly known as JCB in the area. He assaulted the victims over allegations of an extramarital affair.
Media reports suggest that Tajamul runs Taliban-style ‘quick justice’ through his ‘Insaf Sabha’ and is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman. In this case, he brutally assaulted the victims during a so-called ‘arbitration meeting’ named ‘Insaf Sabha’ over allegations of an extramarital affair.
Meanwhile, the man who captured the incident on camera is reportedly absconding due to security concerns. It is also claimed on social media that a case has been filed against the man who recorded the video.
Such ‘Insaf Sabha’ meetings are reportedly held regularly in the area, with local residents too afraid to speak about the assaults to the police or media due to Tajamul’s terror. The young woman did not seek medical help after the brutal assault, which took place on Friday afternoon (June 28).
Earlier, Joby Thomas K, Islampur SP, said, “We have registered a suo motu case. The incident occurred in Chopra. We are making efforts to arrest the accused. Action will be taken as per law.”
In a statement, the Islampur district police said, “Efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The fact is, police promptly identified and arrested one person who had publicly assaulted a lady. A suo motu case has been started by the police. The victim has been provided police security. The investigation is ongoing.”
The Opposition criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, stating that the incident exemplified the breakdown of law and order in the state.
Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State at the Centre and BJP state president, said in a post on X, “A summary trial and punishment by a local goon known as JCB under @AITCofficial’s watch. This is bulldozer justice. @MamataOfficial’s rule is deeply concerning, reminiscent of #KangarooCourt practices.”
BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda wrote on X, “A horrific video has come to light from West Bengal, reminding of the brutalities that exist only in theocracies. To make matters worse, the TMC cadre and MLAs are justifying the act. Be it Sandeshkhali, Uttar Dinajpur, or many other places, Didi’s West Bengal is UNSAFE for women.”
However, TMC spokesperson Krunal Ghosh attempted to downplay the incident, claiming that such incidents are common in Bengal and are often resolved through local panchayats. He suggested that the video might have been tampered with and claimed that such interventions are common if the dispute between a landlord and a tenant or a husband and wife, to the time when the CPI(M) was in power.
Under fire, TMC district president Kanaiyalal Agarwal said, “The man and the woman were engaged in an extramarital affair. They are both married. The people of the area could not accept this. Therefore, the salishi sabha. But we do not support what Tajimul did. I have heard that police have started a case. We will also probe the role of the party worker.”
Hamidul Rehman, TMC MLA from Chopra, said, “The accused, the man you are referring to in the video, holds no party portfolios. Everyone in Chopra is a Trinamool Congress worker. There is no Opposition.”
Levelling allegations at the woman victim, Rehman said, “That’s why the salishi sabha was called. But the locals did a bit too much to them. This is not acceptable. We have rebuked them.”
This incident has once again brought to light the alleged “Talibani culture” prevalent in certain parts of Bengal, where disputes are often settled through violence and intimidation rather than through the legal system.
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