Crime
First Candidate FIR Filed in Nandigram for Assault and Looting
NANDIGRAM/KOLKATA: The battle for Nandigram has turned violent even before the first vote is cast. Police have registered an FIR against TMC candidate Pabitra Kar for allegedly assaulting a local resident and looting cash. This is the first criminal case registered against a candidate since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect. The complainant, Buddhadeb Giri, alleged that Kar and his associates pressured him to chant “Joy Bangla” and beat him with bamboo sticks when he refused.
The incident has triggered a fresh war of words between Suvendu Adhikari and the TMC leadership. Adhikari questioned how Kar could legally contest given his “dual political status,” alleging he is still a BJP member on paper. While no arrests were made as of late Thursday night, the police have increased patrolling in the Krishnanagar area of Nandigram to prevent further clashes between rival party cadres.