Unprecedented scenes unfolded in the Fakirer Kuthi area of Mathabhanga in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, where several local Trinamool Congress leaders and workers reportedly returned money to villagers that had allegedly been collected over time as "cut money" or through extortion. The development comes amid growing public anger and fears among local party functionaries of potential legal consequences.

The money distribution took place on Sunday at a school field in Fakirer Kuthi under the Pachagarh Gram Panchayat. Villagers were reportedly invited to attend a special gathering where local Trinamool leaders returned cash to residents. The unusual public exercise drew significant attention in the area, with residents witnessing party workers handing back money allegedly collected from them in the past.

According to Surendra Barman, president of the local BJP unit, a panchayat member and several Trinamool leaders had allegedly collected around Rs 80 lakh from villagers over a period of time. He claimed that mounting public pressure and concerns over possible action had prompted some local leaders to return at least a portion of the money. Barman further alleged that the panchayat member concerned was absent from the event.

Also Read: TMC Expels Two MLAs Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities Amid Internal Tensions

Among those who reportedly returned money was Tapan Dey, booth president of the Pachagarh Gram Panchayat area, who personally handed cash back to several villagers during the gathering. The event marked a rare instance of political workers publicly returning funds to residents in response to allegations of financial wrongdoing.

Another prominent local Trinamool figure, Babai Barman, was reportedly not present at the gathering and is said to be on the run. In his absence, his elderly father attended the meeting and returned money to villagers on his behalf, according to local accounts. The sight of family members making repayments underscored the extraordinary nature of the incident.

The episode has intensified political tensions in the region, with opposition leaders using it to highlight long-standing allegations of "cut money" collections in rural areas. While the claims and counterclaims continue to fuel debate, the public return of money by local political figures has emerged as a significant development in the district's political landscape.

Also Read: Trinamool Faces Growing Internal Revolt After Crushing Election Defeat In Bengal