At a time when the nation is battling the COVID-19 pandemic by staying indoors in lieu of the 21-day lockdown announced by PM Modi, the Trinamool Congress has let its wild boars loose, as a result of which Sunday was quite a happening day in Southwest Kolkata’s Garden Reach area, dominated by Muslims.
Full-blown street wars were witnessed in the said area on Sunday evening, with two TMC gangsters, masquerading as Municipal councillors went for each other’s jugulars. Also noteworthy is the fact that the street war was fought over the distribution of ‘biryani’ packets amid this 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Praiseworthy here is the unwavering fascination of the TMC with Biryani, and of course, bombs.
Did I forget mentioning the TMC’s fascination, and expertise in the production and usage of bombs? Because on Sunday, bombs flew over the Garden Reach area like footballs. Anyway, here’s how things spiralled to a show of this cheap militancy.
The battle broke out between the rival factions of two adjacent TMC ward councillors over the distribution of Biryani packets to the poor and needy.
Ward 135 councillor, Akhtari Nizami Shahzada told ABP Ananda TV channel that Saba Iqbal, the sister of Shams Iqbal (who is the councillor of the neighbouring Ward No. 134), went around areas in his ward (No. 135) distributing biryani packets on Friday, and also telling the people how Shahzada was doing nothing for them in these testing times. This resulted in an altercation between loyalists of the two camps, which was calmed by the elders in the area.
The next day, as a retaliatory measure, Shahzada organized for Biryani distribution in Ward No. 134, i.e., the ward of Shams Iqbal. Iqbal’s camp then spread word in his ward that the meat used in the Biryani distributed by Shahzada was not halal.
This is what led to a full-fledged gang war on the streets on Sunday. Shahzada also alleged that his office and residence were ransacked, and supporters injured.
In February this year, TFIPOST had reported how a TMC worker (Mushtaq Sheikh) had lost both his hands while making a bomb, to be hurled at opponents. In October last year, three TMC workers died after a bomb they had produced detonated accidentally. Just in case you were wondering how the party gets hold of bombs, they seem to have a dedicated explosives squad, meant for the production of bombs.
The latest episode of a gang war in Kolkata has only proven how Mamata Banerjee no longer has control over her subordinates, who commit criminalities with impunity. Or it is also quite possible that such street wars are occurring under the direct guidance of Didi. In either case, if the woman wants to secure her foreseeable electoral career, she must begin taming her militants immediately.