Mamata Banerjee Urges Patience as Violence Erupts Amid North Bengal Floods

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued an impassioned appeal for calm and solidarity on Monday, just hours after a mob allegedly attacked BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Sankar Ghosh during their relief efforts in flood-ravaged north Bengal. The incident has ignited a fierce political firestorm, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating violence to suppress opposition voices, while Banerjee emphasized unity over division in the face of nature's wrath.

Banerjee, who airlifted to north Bengal for an on-ground assessment, shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), refraining from direct accusations but underscoring the human cost of the crisis. "My earnest appeal: Many people have suffered serious losses in this disaster. We deeply empathize with their pain. Yet, even in this difficult time, we must remember that unity and patience are our greatest strength," she wrote. Urging residents to "stay calm, avoid rumours, and cooperate with those around," the CM affirmed that her administration was "working tirelessly" on relief operations. "Please remain calm, do not pay heed to rumours, and help those around you. Any untoward incident at this time is undesirable. Together, we will overcome this crisis," she added, invoking themes of "courage, composure, and compassion" to guide the state through the turmoil.

The attack unfolded in Jalpaiguri district's Nagrakata area, where Murmu—a prominent tribal leader and two-time MP from Malda North—and Ghosh were inspecting flood-hit Bamon Danga and distributing aid. BJP sources described a chaotic scene: a crowd, allegedly armed with sticks, shoes, stones from the riverbed, and even slippers, suddenly surged toward their convoy after initial protests. "A mob charged at us without warning, hurling stones and abusing us," Ghosh recounted, his voice steady despite visible bruises. Murmu suffered a severe head injury, with blood streaming down his face as he was rushed to a local hospital alongside Ghosh for treatment. Videos circulating on social media captured the pandemonium, showing security personnel struggling to shield the leaders amid the frenzy.

Also Read: Assam Pledges Urgent Aid for Bengal, Sikkim Landslide Crisis

West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari swiftly condemned the assault, directly blaming Banerjee for unleashing "goons from the 'Special Community'" to intimidate BJP workers. In a scathing X post, Adhikari accused the CM of being in "full Panic Mode" after her controversial attendance at a star-studded Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata on Sunday, while north Bengal reeled from the disaster. "Mamata Banerjee danced with celebrities as people lost lives and homes to floods and landslides. Now, she's pressing the panic button by attacking BJP MPs and MLAs to stop our relief work," he fumed, sharing graphic images of Murmu's injuries. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya echoed the outrage, labeling it "TMC's Jungle Raj" and questioning why police were present yet unable to prevent the violence.

The TMC fired back, dismissing the claims as "baseless BJP propaganda" and portraying the clash as a "spontaneous outburst" from grieving locals fed up with the opposition's "photo-op politics" during a humanitarian emergency. A senior TMC spokesperson argued, "BJP leaders showed up for cameras, not genuine help. The anger is from people who've lost everything—our focus is relief, not blame games." Party insiders suggested the incident stemmed from frustrations over delayed aid, exacerbated by the floods' scale.

North Bengal remains a picture of devastation, with torrential rains over the past 48 hours swelling rivers like the Teesta, Jaldhaka, and Mahananda, triggering landslides that have killed at least 25 people, displaced over 50,000, and destroyed homes, bridges, and roads across Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar districts. Two vital iron bridges have collapsed, severing links to Sikkim and stranding hundreds of tourists—over 500 have been rescued so far, but many remain cut off. Banerjee announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and Rs 20,000-50,000 for damaged homes, while a 24/7 control room coordinates evacuations and supplies. She's slated to tour hotspots like Mirik and Kalimpong, vowing "war-footing" response.

The floods, fueled by excess water from Bhutan and Sikkim, have drawn national attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences and Union Home Minister Amit Shah monitoring the situation. BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya, who accompanied the attacked leaders, defended their efforts: "We're on the ground helping, unlike the CM who prioritized a carnival." As protests erupt in multiple districts—BJP workers blocking roads and demanding arrests—the fragile truce Banerjee seeks hangs by a thread. In a state where political rivalries often boil over, this clash risks turning a natural calamity into a full-blown partisan war, testing the resilience of Bengal's flood-weary people.

Also Read: Darjeeling-Mirik Landslides Kill 20, Hundreds Stranded Amid Heavy Rains