Kolkata
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been closely watching eight Trinamool Congress leaders, with two already arrested, over their suspected involvement in the Bhupatinagar blast in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district in December 2022, which led to three deaths.
Balai Charan Maity, an area president, and Monobrata Jana, a booth president for Trinamool Congress, were previously detained by the NIA. Notices have been sent to three others Manab Kumar Parua, who works in public works, along with his associates Subir Maity and Nobo Kumar Panda, asking them to come to the NIA office on Monday.
Local sources have named the remaining three leaders as Uttam Maity, Milan Burman, and Shiboprasad Gayen, all active grassroots-level leaders. Despite NIA summonses since June 2023, all eight have reportedly ignored them.
During a raid in Naruabila village of Bhupatinagar on Saturday, Balai Charan Maity and Monobrata Jana were arrested. However, on their way back, the NIA team faced resistance from villagers, resulting in minor injuries to an officer. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the arrests, claiming authorities were purposely targeting their key agents and promised to replace them with family members if necessary.
