A factory owner was allegedly assaulted at his workplace in Howrah’s Jagacha industrial area on Wednesday after refusing to pay the amount demanded for a Durga Puja celebration, according to a report by Anandabazar – West Bengal. The injured businessman was admitted to Howrah District Hospital, while Jagacha police detained two people in connection with the alleged assault.
The incident was reported from the Kamar Danga area near APJ Club, where a Durga Puja celebration is being organised. The factory, owned by Palash Chhari, is located close to the club. According to the report, several club members allegedly arrived at the factory with people described as outsiders and attacked him at around noon.
Palash alleged that the assault was led by Sandeep Mal, also known as Raja Mal, who is identified in the report as the BJP-2 mandal president for Shibpur and the club’s secretary. He alleged that the group attacked him after he declined to pay the amount sought as a contribution for the puja. The businessman claimed that he suffered injuries to his head and face and required hospitalisation.
Pallab Chhari, the injured man’s brother and a BJP leader who serves as the party’s president of the Shibpur constituency’s number 3 mandal, said his brother was not involved in politics. He alleged that the businessman was surrounded and assaulted by club members while they were carrying weapons. Pallab said the family was frightened and wanted the police to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
A local resident, Subhash Pal, also alleged that people in the area were facing coercion over festival contributions. He said residents were anxious ahead of the puja and alleged that the presence of outsiders at the club had increased. These claims have not been independently established in the supplied report.
Sandeep Mal denied the allegation of coercive collection. He said APJ Club did not force people to pay and that club members and local residents contributed voluntarily. Mal said anyone could make an allegation and asked the police to investigate the matter.
Jagacha police said two people had been detained. The police said the action was primarily related to the assault allegation and that the entire matter was being examined. The supplied report did not state whether any formal arrests had been made or specify the sections of law applied.
