Sordid videos expose rampant criminality of TMC musclemen

A stream of videos going viral in West Bengal is exposing the sordid underbelly of violence that accompanies the Trinamool Congress’ electoral success in the state.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

In recent months, multiple videos have gone viral on social media, revealing the disturbing extent of violence in West Bengal. These videos, often graphic and alarming, have brought to light the underbelly of political unrest in the state.

From Sandeshkhali to more recently in Chopra and Ariadaha, the videos show in chilling detail the free run that criminals enjoy in Bengal.

“All the persons seen in the videos are active Trinamool workers and leaders,” alleges Rahul Sinha, former BJP state president. “They indulge in all sorts of violence during and after the elections and the police and the administration do nothing to rein them in.”

The continued electoral success of the Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha and th e Assembly by-polls has also boosted the confidence of these musclemen, say senior police officers who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“The run of good performances is helping the Trinamool Congress to claim popular support. This is also a good cover-up for the wave of violence that some in its party cadre are indulging in all over the state,” says veteran journalist Suman Chattopadhyay, referring to the multiple videos of Trinamool Congress strongmen assaulting ordinary men and women which surfaced from different parts of West Bengal in the past 10 days.

“First, it was Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali, then Tajemul Islam in Chopra. The latest is Jayant Singh of Ariadaha, which is within Kolkata city. The Trinamool’s assets are these criminals who literally browbeat the Opposition before and during elections and then indulge in all kinds of illegalities under the benign protection of Mamata Banerjee and her police,” alleges Md. Selim, the veteran CPIM leader.