West Bengal: Tensions escalate as bulldozer razes structures in Kolkata’s iconic New Market

Amid an increase in post-poll violence in West Bengal, unidentified assailants shot useless an in depth aide of Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) chief Suvendu Adhikari in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday (Could 6, 2026).

Learn: Meeting election 2026 outcomes

The most recent incident takes the variety of deaths in the State linked to violence after the Meeting election outcomes have been introduced on Monday (Could 4, 2026) to 3.

Chandranath Rath, the private assistant of Mr. Adhikari, was reportedly shot thrice at point-blank vary in the Madhyamgram space. Rath was rushed to a hospital the place he was declared useless. Earlier in the day, Mr. Adhikari, who’s the entrance runner for the publish of Chief Minister, had appealed for calm.

The BJP registered a large mandate in the election and Mr. Adhikari defeated Trinamool Congress chief and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.

A BJP employee, Madhu Mondal, died after being allegedly crushed up by Trinamool cadres throughout a victory procession in New City on Tuesday (Could 5, 2026) night, whereas Trinamool employee Abir Sheikh was hacked to loss of life, allegedly by BJP activists, in Birbhum the identical day. There have been experiences of extra deaths in violence, together with one in Howrah, which the police haven’t confirmed but.

A number of Trinamool places of work have been vandalised over the previous three days, whereas some have been painted saffron to thwart assaults. The Director-Normal of Police, Siddh Nath Gupta, stated 500 firms of Central forces stay deployed throughout the State to include post-poll violence. The police have arrested 433 individuals throughout the State.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday (Could 6, 2026) directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary, DGP, and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in the State to make sure zero tolerance in direction of post-poll violence by anybody. He directed the authorities involved to instantly arrest these concerned in violence and vandalism.

On Tuesday (Could 5, 2026) night time, bulldozers razed a number of constructions in Kolkata’s iconic New Market, triggering panic amongst shopkeepers who downed shutters. In line with experiences, the prime goal was the Trinamool’s union workplace, which was demolished.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand stated motion can be taken in opposition to cops who have been current at New Market in the course of the incident however didn’t forestall it.

In a conflict on the Nazat police station in Basirhat Police district, 5 police personnel, together with two CAPF personnel, have been injured. Fifteen individuals have been arrested in reference to the incident.

The West Bengal BJP management, together with Samik Bhattacharya and Mr. Adhikari, have urged celebration supporters to shun violence. Mr. Adhikari stated BJP staff shouldn’t eye Trinamool celebration places of work as unlawful actions have been performed on these premises.

“I’m not supporting any violence, however don’t evaluate the scenario with 2021 when the Trinamool received,” Mr. Adhikari stated. He stated that in 2021, over 12,000 FIRs have been filed and 57 individuals have been killed.

(With inputs from Sreeparna Chakrabarty)