Woman Detained Over Alleged Knife Attack Attempt on Mamata Banerjee
Police have detained a woman for allegedly attempting to attack former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee with a knife in Kalighat, Kolkata. The incident took place in front of Mamata’s residence on Tuesday evening, according to Anandabazar Patrika and Sangbad Pratidin.
The woman has been identified as Anusuya Saha, a resident of New Alipore in Kolkata, according to police sources. Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen alleged that the woman tried to attack Mamata with a knife. She reportedly claimed to be Mamata’s niece and hurled abuses at the former chief minister.
Sen said Mamata was returning home at around 6pm on Tuesday after inaugurating a Durga Puja at Kalighat Milan Sangha. Party leaders Baishwanar Chattopadhyay and Dola Sen were accompanying her. The woman addressed Mamata as “Pishi” (aunt) and rushed towards her. She also allegedly grabbed and pulled Mamata’s sari, Sangbad Pratidin reported.
Sen further alleged that the woman identified herself as a civic volunteer. She claimed that the woman lay down on the road and continued hurling abuses after the incident. Sen also alleged that the woman was under the influence of drugs, but the report did not cite any official police statement confirming this.
Sen said she informed two police personnel present at the scene. According to her, they said they were members of the state police and could not take action in an area under Kolkata Police jurisdiction. She alleged that the officers took the woman away and bought her tea instead of detaining her.
Sen later emailed the officer-in-charge of Kalighat Police Station to report the incident. She also questioned the state government over alleged lapses in Mamata’s security.
According to Sangbad Pratidin, Mamata returned to her Kalighat residence on Monday after attending an INDIA bloc programme in Delhi. The incident occurred near her home on Tuesday evening after she inaugurated the Durga Puja. Party workers accompanying her were initially taken aback but later tried to restrain the woman. Those present eventually brought her to the ground, the report said.
The police investigation and any legal action against the woman could not be confirmed from the reports.
