- विज्ञापन -
Kaliganj, June 23: A tragic incident shook in the Kaliganj Assembly constituency of Nadia district, West Bengal, when a bomb explosion claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl, Tamanna Khatun, a Class 4 student. The explosion occurred in broad daylight, coinciding with the announcement of the Kaliganj Assembly bypoll results. Eyewitnesses and local residents described a scene of panic and chaos following the loud blast that echoed through the village. Tamanna, who was near the site of the explosion at the time, sustained fatal injuries and could not be saved.
Political accusations emerge
The incident quickly took on a political dimension, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleging that the victim belonged to the family of one of their party workers. CPI(M) leaders claimed that the explosion was not accidental but a targeted act linked to the celebrations by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) following their electoral victory. Although the political affiliation of the family has not been officially confirmed, the allegation has intensified tensions in an already polarised political climate.
Mamata Banerjee promises strong action
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her sorrow on social media, stating that she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the death of the young girl in the explosion in the Krishnanagar police district. She extended her condolences to the grieving family and assured that police would take “strong and decisive legal action” against those responsible. According to reports, she has instructed senior police officials to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the cause of the blast and determine whether it was linked to post-election violence.
BJP blames TMC for political violence
Meanwhile, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya launched a sharp critique of the ruling party, accusing the TMC of turning celebrations into acts of violence. In a post on social media, he claimed that bombs were hurled during TMC’s victory rally in the Muslim-majority Kaliganj area, resulting in the tragic death of Tamanna Khatun. Malviya went further to call the TMC a “gang of vultures,” asserting that the party cannot even win a bypoll without resorting to bloodshed. He also blamed the Mamata Banerjee-led government for fostering a culture of normalized violence during elections in West Bengal.
TMC wins, but celebrations overshadowed
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had declared Alifa Ahmed of the Trinamool Congress as the leading candidate in the Kaliganj bypoll with 91,480 votes. Her nearest rival, Ashish Ghosh of the BJP, secured 40,146 votes, while Kabiluddin Shaikh of the Congress trailed with 26,220 votes. But any jubilation over the electoral results was quickly overshadowed by the horrific death of a child, casting a dark cloud over the celebrations and leading to widespread outrage across the state.
Call for justice and probe
As investigations continue, opposition leaders and civil society organizations are demanding an impartial probe and swift justice. The incident has once again brought to the forefront the recurring issue of political violence in West Bengal, raising pressing questions about civilian safety, particularly the vulnerability of children, in conflict-prone regions. Amid mounting public pressure and political blame games, the people of West Bengal are left mourning a young life lost too soon, and yearning for peace and accountability.
