Kolkata: Three FIRs have been registered against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien and two other party leaders following a confrontation between party workers, police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials at the party’s Camac Street office, police said on Friday.
Thirteen people have so far been arrested in connection with Thursday’s incident, which occurred when civic officials arrived to remove an allegedly unauthorised billboard from the building.
Besides Abhishek Banerjee and O’Brien, TMC MLA Humayun Kabir and party leader Baiswanor Chattopadhyay have been named in the cases.
What Happened At TMC’s Camac Street Office?
The confrontation broke out on Thursday when KMC officials, accompanied by police personnel, attempted to enter the building and dismantle a billboard bearing TMC signage installed on an iron structure on its top floor.
According to police, private security guards at Banerjee’s office, his supporters and some TMC leaders allegedly attempted to prevent the police and civic officials from entering the premises, leading to a scuffle.
The billboard was eventually removed after officials entered the building.
Police said investigators are examining video footage and recording statements of those present to determine how the confrontation began and establish the roles of those named in the FIRs.
Three FIRs Registered, 13 People Arrested
The cases were registered at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station following complaints alleging obstruction of police and KMC personnel from discharging their official duties, assault and unlawful assembly.
A police official said one FIR was registered following a complaint from an official of the KMC’s advertisement department, while another was based on a requisition from the civic body.
The third case followed a complaint by a police sergeant who alleged that unidentified people obstructed personnel and snatched his government-issued walkie-talkie during the confrontation.
Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) Kunal Agarwal said 13 people had been arrested and the matter was being examined.
TMC Alleges ‘Political Vendetta’
The TMC has disputed the authorities’ version of events.
O’Brien alleged that police entered the office with an “illegal” notice and accused personnel of assaulting senior party leaders and heckling supporters and staff. The party also alleged that the clothes of women security personnel were torn during the action.
Abhishek Banerjee, who was present at the premises during the confrontation and was seen arguing with officials, described the civic action as “political vendetta”.
The allegations made by the TMC have not been independently established, while police investigations into the incident remain underway.
