Woman alleges assault by TMC-linked men in Bengal property dispute
A woman in her 30s has alleged that she was assaulted, her head partially shaven, and she was tied to a lamp post by a group of men associated with former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Firdousi Begum over a property dispute in Narendrapur, West Bengal. The incident comes days after the rape and murder of a Class VI student in Baruipur, which has drawn widespread attention.
According to police sources, the woman lodged a first information report (FIR) alleging that she was physically assaulted, her hair was shaved off, and the assailants attempted to cut her tongue with a blade. She further claimed that they tried to strangle her with her dupatta before dragging her to a vacant plot she owns, tying her to a lamp post, and beating her. Police rescued the woman after her husband alerted the Narendrapur police station.
The police acted swiftly after the FIR was filed. One of the accused, Tarifudin Sardar, was arrested from his in-laws' house in Tollygunge through mobile tower tracking. Raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Speaking to reporters, the woman said, 'I was at home with my 10-year-old daughter when TMC supporters barged in. They threatened me that I would not be allowed to set foot on my property until I paid them Rs 50,000. They also abused me for going to court. When I refused, they started beating me. My daughter ran to me, but they assaulted her too.' She alleged the attackers were supporters of former TMC MLA Firdousi Begum.
'They dragged me to my vacant plot, tied me to a light pole, shaved off my head, and beat me again. There were many onlookers, but no one came forward out of fear. A neighbour called my husband, who alerted the police. If the police had not come, I would have died,' she added.
The woman stated that since purchasing the plot in June 2024, local TMC workers had been demanding 'cut money.' She claimed she and her husband were assaulted on September 3, 2024, and briefly fled their home before returning after police intervention. Despite police involvement, the alleged harassment continued, prompting the couple to approach a lower court, which ruled in her favour that they should not be disturbed. The latest attack allegedly took place after the court order.
'I took loans to buy this land. I used to run a jhal muri stall, but they shut that down too. Why should I pay them? We are BJP supporters, and that is why they target us even more. I appeal to the present MLA that these culprits should be arrested and punished,' she alleged.
Her husband said, 'I was not home when the TMC supporters attacked my wife over the land we had purchased. They dragged her to the property, tied her up, and beat her with sticks and bamboo. We appeal to the administration to give us justice.'
Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway. No official statement had been issued at the time of filing this report. Former TMC MLA Firdousi Begum did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment. BJP MLA from Sonarpur Uttar, Debasish Dhar, told reporters, 'We will look into the matter, and immediate action will be taken.'
The incident has added to political tensions in the state, with allegations of violence linked to party supporters. The police have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and assured that the law will take its course.
