‘Head Would Ve Exploded’: Mamata Banerjee’s Car Attacked Amid TMC Worker’s Death Visit
Indiadailyupdate.com – Head would ve exploded — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made this dramatic statement on Sunday after her car was pelted with stones and mud during a visit to the residence of a deceased Trinamool Congress worker. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions over the alleged custodial death of Birju Deot, a former TMC worker from the Kanchrapara area. Banerjee, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, was traveling from Deot’s house when protesters allegedly targeted her vehicle, claiming she had come to incite unrest over the custodial killing.
Incident Details and Political Fallout
The confrontation took place in Bijpur, located in the North 24 Parganas district. According to Banerjee’s account, the situation escalated dramatically when protesters began hurling large stones, mud, and torn cloth at her car while shouting “chor, chor” (thief, thief). The Chief Minister expressed her outrage at what she described as police inaction during the protest. “My head would have exploded. I would have died here. The police are protecting the BJP,” she alleged, criticizing what she termed Suvendu Adhikari’s “iron fist rule” and the police force’s alleged complicity in the Sunday protests at Bijapur.
The political implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate confrontation. Banerjee’s criticism of the state government and police administration comes at a critical time, as the Trinamool Congress seeks to mobilize support around the issue of custodial violence. The Chief Minister’s statement that “there is no such thing as law and order in this state” reflects growing concerns within her party about governance in West Bengal under the BJP-led administration.
Birju Deot’s Death and Investigation
Birju Deot, husband of Jenny Sharma Keot—the former TMC councillor for Ward 23 of the Kanchrapara Municipality—died on Friday following alleged custodial torture at the Halishahar Police Station. The incident gained significant attention after Deot was remanded to five-day police custody by a West Bengal court on various charges, including extortion. Both Jenny and the TMC have alleged that Deot was beaten severely during his detention, with his body bearing numerous wounds that ultimately led to his death.
Deot was subsequently taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in Kalyani, where he succumbed to his injuries. The family and the party have been demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Police Commissioner Amit Kumar Singh of Barrackpore confirmed to Times of India that “an investigation is underway” and stated that “the exact cause of death will be known after the autopsy report is received.”
The timing of Banerjee’s visit to Deot’s house, just days after his death, has been interpreted by political observers as an attempt to highlight the issue of custodial violence and to demonstrate solidarity with the TMC worker’s family. The attack on her car has been seen by party supporters as an attempt to silence her voice and prevent her from addressing the issue publicly.
What Happened Next?
Following the incident, Banerjee and her delegation returned to the Deot family’s residence, where she reportedly addressed the grieving family members. Local media reports indicate that she expressed her condolences and promised to ensure that justice is served in the case. The incident has sparked renewed debate about police accountability and the treatment of political activists in West Bengal.
Trinamool Congress leaders have called for a high-level inquiry into Birju Deot’s death, with some demanding the transfer of the case to a central agency. The party has also threatened to organize protests across the state if the investigation does not yield satisfactory results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Birju Deot?
Birju Deot was a former Trinamool Congress worker and the husband of Jenny Sharma Keot, who served as the TMC councillor for Ward 23 of the Kanchrapara Municipality. He died following alleged custodial torture at the Halishahar Police Station.
What charges was Birju Deot facing?
Deot was remanded to five-day police custody on various charges, including extortion. The exact nature of these charges has been a subject of debate, with the TMC alleging that the charges were fabricated to justify his detention.
Where did Mamata Banerjee’s car get attacked?
The attack on the Chief Minister’s car occurred in Bijpur, in the Kanchrapara area of North 24 Parganas district, while she was traveling from Birju Deot’s house.
What did Mamata Banerjee say about the police response?
Banerjee alleged that the police were protecting the BJP and were complicit in the Sunday protests at Bijapur. She claimed that the police did nothing while protesters hurled stones, mud, and torn cloth at her car.
When will the autopsy report be available?
According to Police Commissioner Amit Kumar Singh, the exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy report is received. The timeline for the report’s release has not been officially announced.
