TMC leaders tie lady teacher, drag her on road in Bengal village

A primary school teacher was tied and dragged across the road by a group of Trinamool Congress members in Gangrampur of south Dinajpur district, when she opposed the construction of a road on her land.

An ANI video that went viral on social media on Sunday (February 2), showed a group of men led by local TMC leader Amal Sarkar tying the legs of Smritikona Das, the teacher, and dragging her across a country road. The men were also seen manhandling and pushing around Das’ sister when she protested against the act. The incident reportedly took place on Friday (December 31) at Fata Nagar village.

In her complaint with Gangarampur police Das, 29, said, “They tried to hit me on my head with an iron road. I somehow managed to dodge the attack. When I fell down they tied my legs with a rope and dragged me for nearly 30 feet. I was beaten up, my modesty was outraged and I was threatened.” She also said that the accused had snatched her gold chain and mobile phone.

Reports said the sisters had agreed to give a portion of their land for expansion of road by the panchayat, but objected when officials demanded them to cede the entire land for the expansion. Their protests didn’t go down well with local TMC leaders, who tried to use force to silence them.

“We have received a complaint and investigation is underway,” Hindustan Times quoted Purnendu Kumar Kundu, inspector-in-charge of Gangarampur police station as saying. While no arrests have been made in the case so far, the district leadership has expelled Amal Sarkar, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, the BJP claimed that the teacher was a supporter of the saffron party.

(With inputs from agencies)