Asansol: Asansol grew tense over serious allegations of land grabbing. Local residents staged a fierce protest surrounding a BJP leader in the Sahajogi Nagar area of Ismail under Hirapur Police Station. Extreme sensation and political tension spread in the area following this incident.
According to local sources, allegations surfaced regarding an attempt to encroach upon a plot of land located right in front of a temple in the Sahajogi Nagar area. Local residents claimed that Kakali Ghosh, General Secretary of the BJP's Asansol Organizational District, was backing this illegal land-grabbing attempt. As soon as this allegation spread, local residents burst into anger within moments. They gathered at the spot in groups.
As the allegations came to light, locals confronted BJP leader Kakali Ghosh. A heated altercation and argument ensued. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, and locals began protesting around the leader. Severe tension prevailed at the scene.
Seeing the situation deteriorate, the local Hirapur police station was promptly informed. A police force quickly reached the spot, brought the situation under control, separated the two parties, and worked to restore calm.
On the other hand, the angry residents called Agnimitra Paul, the MLA of Asansol South and minister in charge of the state, to inform her of the entire matter. The residents clearly stated that the disputed land actually belonged to a private owner. However, the owner generously donated or handed over the land to the temple committee. Therefore, only temple-related work or its maintenance should take place on that land, and they warned that no encroachment would be tolerated under any circumstances.
However, the accused BJP leader Kakali Ghosh unequivocally denied all allegations. She claimed that these baseless allegations were being raised and protests organized against her solely to demean her politically. This incident has brought forward the anger of local residents on one hand, while sparking a political tussle between the ruling and opposition camps on the other. Police are investigating the entire matter, and extra alertness has been issued in the area. - Shyam Das, Asansol.
