IBNS-CMEDIA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that a group of protesters intercepted her car while she was visiting the family of a deceased Trinamool Congress worker in the Halishahar area of the state.
Banerjee alleged that stones and bricks were hurled at her car, saying the incident could have “killed” her.
Video footage aired by local news channels showed a group of protesters raising “chor” (thief) slogans as Banerjee’s car was on its way to the party worker’s house.
According to media reports, some demonstrators surrounded the Chief Minister’s vehicle and smeared mud on it, triggering tension and chaos in the area.
মমতা ব্যানার্জির উপর হামলা। তীব্র নিন্দা করছি। পুলিশ হেফাজতে নিহত কর্মীর বাড়ি যাচ্ছিলেন নেত্রী। তাঁকে বাধা, গাড়িতে ইঁট, পাথর। এটা কোন্ রাজত্ব? পুলিশ এসব দুষ্কৃতী জমায়েত হতে দিল কী করে?
Attack on @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/DHz3vTZFOh— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) August 9, 2026
Speaking to reporters later, Banerjee said, “Anti-socials from outside threw stones at my car in front of the police.”
“I have never faced such an attack. If my windows were not closed, then the bricks could have easily hit me. I could have even died,” she said.
Banerjee also accused the police of failing to intervene and protect her during the incident.
“They are providing protection to the BJP,” she alleged.
Meanwhile, West Bengal minister and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul condemned the incident.
“We do not endorse this… If anyone is carrying out such acts while claiming to represent the BJP, they are in the wrong,” she was quoted as saying by India Today.
BJP West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya, meanwhile, denied any involvement of party workers in the incident.
The protest took place amid heightened tensions in Halishahar following the death of Birju Keot, a Trinamool Congress worker who reportedly fell ill while in police custody.
Keot had been arrested on charges related to corruption and extortion. He was shifted to a hospital after his health deteriorated, where he later died.
According to media reports, police maintained that Keot suffered a heart attack. His wife, however, alleged that he was tortured while in custody.His wife, however, alleged that Keot was tortured in custody.
