Caught in the act of promoting cow smuggling for slaughter and running illegal slaughter houses in Bengal’s second city Asansol, hundreds of armed goons of State Minister Moloy Ghatak on Wednesday attacked Union Minister Babul Supriyo with brickbats and beat up six BJP workers, including local leaders, an eyewitness said.
Supriyo was attacked with bricks, one of which hit him on chest, and had to be escorted out of the area by a huge police contingent.
The immediate trigger of the incident was a gherao planned by the BJP in protest against cow smuggling for slaughter and illegal slaughter houses. “The BJP workers were going to protest near Moloy Ghatak’s house when hundreds of Trinamool men pounced on them and beat them up. Even I was not spared and was hit by a brick in the chest,” Supriyo said.
Supriyo said that he had learnt of the cow smuggling and illegal slaughter houses from locals involved in the illegal trade.
“I was told that the entire system ran on illegal money that went up to the political leadership including Ministers and MlAs” the singer-turned-politician said.
The BJP planned the gherao after Supriyo, who was going to a local rifle club on Tuesday evening, saw herds of cows being taken to unknown destinations.
“When he intercepted the men, an altercation followed, during which the men said that huge amount of money changed hands in cow smuggling and even Ministers, MlAs received kickbacks,” local BJP leaders alleged.
This led the Union Minister to plan a demonstration at Ghatak’s house on Wednesday, which was eventually received by hostile bands of Trinamool goons who attacked the BJP men, damaged five cars and went on a rampage throughout the city.
Supriyo was sitting inside the Asansol South Police station demanding the release of the BJP men arrested by the police after the incident, when reports last came in.
“It is strange that attackers are spared and victims are punished in Bengal. I have come to the police station to secure the release of my men who were first attacked by Trinamool goons and then arrested by the police,” said Supriyo, who is the local MP from Asansol.
“It is strange that the police did nothing about this despite repeatedcomplains,” the Union Minister said, adding that at least 50 illegalslaughter houses were functioning in the area.
“They are polluting the air by burning bones and polluting the Damodar River by releasing blood and other animal wastes into it,” he said.
While Ghatak, who is currently in Kolkata, refused to make any comment, the Mayor of Asansol and local Trinamool leader Jitendra Tewari denied any such attack by his party men saying “It is the BJP men who had accosted Babul Supriyo and I personally reached the spot and rescued him with the help of the police.”
He said Supriyo and other BJP leaders were attacked by disgruntled BJP men who were unhappy with the Union Minister for not fulfilling his poll promises.
Tewari added, “In Mamata Banerjee’s regime the Opposition parties are free to express their views. Are we mad to attack the BJPand spoil our name when the Trinamool has won from the area in theAssembly elections.”