Kolkata– A 13-year-old girl was killed in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Monday after a bomb explosion during a victory procession held by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to celebrate their bypoll win in Kaliganj constituency.
The victim, identified as Tamanna Khatun, a student of Class 4, succumbed to injuries after being struck by bomb splinters allegedly hurled near the residence of a CPI(M) supporter during the celebratory march for TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed, who won the by-election earlier in the day.
The incident occurred in the Melendi area of Kaliganj, triggering shock and political outrage across the state.
While the West Bengal Police confirmed the death due to an explosion, they refrained from offering details on the cause or context. However, local residents and the victim’s family alleged that TMC workers hurled bombs targeting the home of a CPI(M) activist, leading to the girl’s fatal injury.
One person, Aftab Sheikh, identified as a TMC worker, has been arrested in connection with the incident.
“She was just a child. I saw who threw the bombs. They are known faces in the area and affiliated with Trinamool. My family has always supported the CPI(M),” said Sabina Yasmin, Tamanna’s mother, speaking to local media.
Tamanna was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but was declared dead on arrival.
The tragedy has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition leaders. Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT Cell chief and central observer for Bengal, blamed the incident on what he described as TMC’s “violent, vote-bank-driven politics.”
“This is the blood price of Mamata Banerjee’s polarising and radicalised politics. West Bengal is witnessing the complete breakdown of law and order. Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the Home portfolio, has failed miserably,” Malviya said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief and assured that those responsible would face strict action. “This is a tragic loss. No one involved in the incident will be spared,” she said.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the recurring violence associated with electoral events in the state and the safety of civilians during political mobilisations. (Source: IANS)
