Ranit Kr. Singh , Kolkata — Police have arrested five individuals following a mob attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal’s Sonarpur on Saturday. Banerjee sustained minor chest bruises after being targeted with stones, eggs, and physical blows while visiting families of post-poll violence victims. Security personnel and armed central forces ultimately intervened to escort the Diamond Harbour lawmaker to safety, prompting police to register a suo motu case for attempted murder.

The investigation has sparked a bitter political blame game over the identities of the attackers. Former state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged the arrestees are TMC workers close to a local former MLA. Conversely, TMC leadership refuted this, claiming active BJP workers orchestrated the assault. Meanwhile, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee announced a protest rally in central Kolkata, asserting that her nephew survived the encounter only because he was wearing a helmet.

Following the incident, the detained suspects were identified through security camera and television news footage before five were formally arrested after questioning. Banerjee was examined at two private hospitals and discharged to undergo home treatment. From the field, an defiant Banerjee accused local authorities of failing to provide adequate security and stated his intention to move the Calcutta High Court to address the security lapse.