NIA team attacked in east Midnapore, West Bengal; car pelted with bricks, officer injured

PTC News Desk: In a startling turn of events, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) faced a violent attack on Saturday in Bengal's east Medinipur district while conducting a raid linked to a bomb blast case from 2022. The incident occurred in the Bhupitaninagar area, resulting in injuries to an officer of the anti-terror agency.

As the NIA team executed their operation, they were unexpectedly assaulted by a mob, leading to the vandalism of their vehicle, with the windscreen being shattered in the chaos.

Footage captured the harrowing scene as men and women obstructed a police vehicle, vocally opposing the authorities' presence and brandishing bamboo sticks. This disturbing confrontation unfolded as the NIA team sought to make arrests related to the bomb blast case, including the apprehension of the primary suspect, Monobroto Jana.

Following the attack, a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by local authorities under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act against Monobroto Jana, his family members, and other unidentified individuals involved in the assault.

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According to NIA sources, prior intimation had been provided to the local police station regarding the raid, yet adequate security measures were not implemented. However, police sources countered this claim, asserting that the NIA team arrived at Bhupitaninagar much earlier than scheduled and subsequently requested reinforcements.

Despite the tumultuous encounter, law enforcement has regained control of the situation, with investigations underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack. The Bhupatinagar blast, which occurred in December 2022 at the residence of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Naryabila village, claimed the lives of three individuals. The NIA commenced its inquiry into the incident in June 2023, aiming to unravel the complexities surrounding the case.

This assault on the NIA team echoes a similar incident just two months prior when a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was targeted in Bengal's Sandeshkhali on January 5. Following extensive efforts, expelled TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested in connection with the attack, along with several of his associates, emphasising the concerning trend of violence against law enforcement agencies in the region.

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(Input from agencies)