West Bengal Police says attack on JP Nadda's convoy will be investigated; Mamata Banerjee says ambush was staged

The West Bengal Police on Thursday said that the situation is peaceful in the state, and the BJP national President JP Nadda reached safely at the venue in Diamond Harbour. It also stated that the matter is being investigated.

"Shri JP Nadda, National President, BJP reached safely at the venue, Diamond Harbour, South 24 Pgs. Nothing happened to his convoy. Few bystanders at Debipur, Falta PS, Diamond Harbour PD, sporadically and suddenly threw stones towards vehicles trailing long behind his convoy," WB Police tweeted.

"Everyone is safe and the situation is peaceful. Matter is being investigated to find out actual happenings," it added.

The statements from the law enforcement authorities come after Nadda's convoy was allegedly attacked on Thursday and several BJP leaders including Kailash Vijayvargiya were injured when protesters pelted stones at their vehicles at West Bengal's Diamond Harbour.

"Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijayvargiya were injured in the attack today. It is a shame on democracy," Nadda said at a public meeting at South 24 Paraganas in West Bengal.  

"There isn't a car in our convoy which was not attacked. I am safe because I was travelling in a bulletproof car. This state of lawlessness and intolerance in West Bengal has to end," he added.

In response to his statement, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said that the attack on Nadda was staged.

"Every day they (BJP activists) are coming out (for rallies) with firearms. They are slapping themselves and blaming it on the Trinamool Congress. Just think of the situation. They are roaming around with the BSF, CRPF, Army, CISF....Then why are you so scared," Banerjee said in Kolkata.

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya was on his way to South 24 Paraganas and alleged that Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers pelted stones at his vehicle at West Bengal's Diamond Harbour.

The incident took place while he was on his way to South 24 Paraganas. Protestors also attempted to block the road from where BJP President JP Nadda's convoy was passing.

"Bengal Police has already got the information about BJP National President JP Nadda ji program. But once again the Bengal police failed. In front of the police near Siracol bus stand, TMC goons hit our workers and pelted stones at my car," Vijayvargiya tweeted.

BJP leader Sambit Patra also alleged that he along with some other leaders were attacked while they were travelling in a car. "Our cars attacked in Bengal!! Window panes were broken. Shri Shivprakash ji, Shri Sanjay Mayukh ji and myself were travelling in this car. One karyakarta in our car is bleeding!! God save our lives!! Mamata Banerjee, is this democracy??" Patra tweeted.

The situation was brought under control after the police intervened and cleared the road for the convoy to pass.

Earlier, Nadda was shown black flags allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters when he arrived in Kolkata`s Hastings area to inaugurate the party`s election office on Wednesday evening.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said that he is concerned at alarming reports of anarchy and lawlessness.