Police have arrested eight people, including a local BJP leader, in connection with the death of the father of a CJP worker in Bankura district.
Bankura/Burdwan, West Bengal: Tensions have risen in West Bengal’s Bankura district following the death of Sheikh Mohammad Mafiq, 51, who allegedly died after being attacked in connection with a campaign highlighting the poor condition of a government school.
Police have arrested eight people, including a local BJP leader, in connection with the incident. The arrests were made in the Indas area on Sunday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sheikh Azad, Srikanta Majhi, Prashant Ruidas, Rohit Majhi, Bablu Majhi, Santu Majhi, Tinku Keora and Ashtam Majhi. Police said Ashtam Majhi is known locally as a BJP leader.
The case has triggered political controversy, with the CJP alleging that the attack was carried out by people associated with the BJP, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has rejected any political connection to the incident.
Attack allegedly took place during ‘School Fix’ campaign
According to the CJP, its worker Sheikh Abdul Hafiz and his family were allegedly attacked on August 13 after Hafiz participated in the party’s nationwide “School Fix” campaign.
The campaign involved visiting government schools to assess their infrastructure and highlight problems affecting students and teachers.
The incident reportedly occurred in the Karishunda area of Bankura, where Hafiz visited the local government school and recorded videos showing various infrastructure-related issues.
The CJP alleged that armed men, described by the organisation as local BJP workers, forcibly entered Hafiz’s house later that evening and attacked him and his father.
During the alleged assault, Hafiz’s father, Sheikh Mohammad Mafiq, suffered a serious head injury.
Father dies during treatment
Following the attack, Mafiq was taken to Indas Hospital with police assistance.
When his condition deteriorated, he was shifted the following morning to Burdwan Medical College Hospital. He subsequently died while undergoing treatment.
His death led to increased tension in the area.
The CJP has alleged that the attack was connected to Hafiz’s efforts to document the poor condition of the government school.
CJP alleges political pressure
According to a statement issued by the CJP, Hafiz had spoken to the school’s headmaster and recorded videos showing problems with the school’s infrastructure.
The organisation claimed that Hafiz was preparing to show the video evidence to the administration when the alleged attackers targeted his family.
The CJP further alleged that the attackers demanded that Hafiz record a video apologising for highlighting the school’s condition and claim that he had acted under outside influence.
In a video cited by the organisation, Hafiz allegedly claimed that a schoolteacher had informed political workers about his inspection of the school, after which the attack took place.
These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation and have not been independently established.
Hafiz also alleges earlier confrontation
The CJP has also linked the incident to an earlier episode involving Hafiz.
According to the organisation, Hafiz had travelled to Delhi on July 19 to participate in a protest. He alleged that he was detained at Rajiv Chowk the following day and that police used batons and tear gas during the incident.
He returned to his village on July 27.
His family subsequently alleged that he began receiving threats from people associated with the BJP.
The claims have added another layer to the political controversy surrounding the case.
BJP rejects political connection
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has rejected the allegation that the incident was connected to the BJP.
Speaking at the state secretariat Nabanna, Adhikari said that those named in the FIR were criminals and that the law would take its course.
He said there was no connection with the BJP and that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible.
According to Adhikari, of the five people initially named in the FIR, three had already been arrested and efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining two.
The subsequent police action brought the total number of arrests in the case to eight.
Eight people arrested
Police have arrested the following eight people:
- Sheikh Azad
- Srikanta Majhi
- Prashant Ruidas
- Rohit Majhi
- Bablu Majhi
- Santu Majhi
- Tinku Keora
- Ashtam Majhi, who police said is a local BJP leader
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, the identities and roles of all those involved, and the motive behind the attack.
Political tension grows after death
The death of Sheikh Mohammad Mafiq has intensified political tensions in the region.
On Sunday, CJP leader Dedipya Gangopadhyay met Hafiz at Burdwan Medical College and assured the family of the party’s support.
The CJP has demanded accountability over the alleged attack, while the BJP has maintained that the accused should be treated as criminals rather than as party workers.
The police investigation will now determine the exact sequence of events, the motive behind the attack and the individual responsibility of those arrested.
Key Takeaway
The death of 51-year-old Sheikh Mohammad Mafiq following an alleged attack on his family has sparked a political dispute in Bankura. The CJP claims the assault was linked to its “School Fix” campaign and alleged involvement of BJP workers, while the BJP has denied any organisational connection.
With eight people arrested, including a local BJP leader, the investigation is now focused on establishing the circumstances of the attack and the exact role of each accused.
