A group of 40 to 50 people allegedly ransacked the North 24-Parganas zilla parishad sabhadhipati’s office in Barasat on Monday afternoon, prompting a police investigation into security at the public premises. No arrests had been made when the incident was reported.
According to the Times of India report, the group entered the office when sabhadhipati Narayan Goswami was absent and asked employees about his whereabouts. Staff members said the visitors later got into an altercation with them before entering Goswami’s chamber.
The report said the group allegedly damaged the chamber, kicked open a cupboard and scattered items from a showcase. An employee, Asit Majumdar, said the group had demanded the keys to the cupboard. Goswami’s personal assistant, Durga Sen Mallick, confirmed that the sabhadhipati was not present during the incident.
Goswami, a former Trinamool Congress MLA, said he did not know why the incident had taken place or who was responsible. The vandalism occurred inside the office of the elected head of the district’s rural local-government body, raising questions about access control and security at the premises while the police establish the circumstances.
A complaint has been lodged with the police, who have started an investigation. The report did not identify the people involved or specify whether any property was recovered, nor did it state what prompted the group to seek access to the cupboard or Goswami’s chamber.
The incident follows another confrontation involving Goswami. Days earlier, eggs were thrown at his car. After that incident, Goswami announced his intention to step down as sabhadhipati. The report did not provide further details about the earlier episode or state whether the two incidents were linked.
The police investigation is now expected to establish the identity of those who entered the office, document the extent of the damage and determine whether charges will be filed. No arrests had been reported at the time of publication.
