“Completely Unprovoked”: NIA Condemns Bengal Mob Attack, Cites Anti-Terror Operations

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has vehemently denied allegations of assaulting residents during their operations in Bhupatinagar, West Bengal. The agency stated that its team faced a “violent attack by an unruly mob” while conducting searches in Naruabila village, linked to a blast case that claimed three lives in December 2022.

According to the NIA, the attack was unprovoked and aimed at obstructing their lawful duties. The searches were carried out at five locations in the presence of independent witnesses, with security provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including women constables.

Two key suspects in the bomb blast case were eventually arrested in East Midnapore district, following due legal procedures, the NIA asserted. The attack on the NIA team occurred while they were apprehending Balai Charan Maity and Manobrata Jana, with the intention to impede the completion of arrest formalities at the Bhupatinagar police station.

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West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president, Mamata Banerjee, accused the NIA of acting in favor of the BJP. She questioned the timing of the raids, alleging political motivations, and criticized the arrests ahead of elections.

In response to Banerjee’s accusations, the NIA clarified that it was the target of aggression by locals, rather than initiating any assault. One NIA officer was injured, and an official vehicle was damaged during the attack. The agency has lodged a police complaint, seeking legal action against the assailants.