Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari denies BJP’s role in ‘assault’ of CJP volunteer, his father’s death

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday dismissed an allegation that the BJP was involved in an “assault” that led to the death of Janab Mafik, the father of CJP volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, and said those named in the FIR were criminals and would face stringent action.

The 25-year-old Hafeez was allegedly attacked after inspecting a government school as part of the CJP’s “School Thik Karo” campaign.

Mafik died on Saturday from severe head injuries sustained during the alleged assault at the family’s residence, according to a statement from the CJP.

“Of the five people against whom an FIR has been registered, three have already been arrested. The two others will also be arrested. There is no BJP connection here. They are all criminals. Action will be taken according to law,” Adhikari told reporters at the state secretariat Nabanna.

The incident took place in the Karisunda area of Bankura district after Hafeez participated in the nationwide “School Thik Karo” Abhiyan at the government school in his village on August 13 to assess the condition of its infrastructure, it said.

The CJP alleged that armed individuals identified as local BJP workers forcibly entered Hafeez’s residence later that evening.
According to the CJP’s statement, Hafeez alleged in a video that a school teacher had informed the political workers about his civic inspection, which prompted the subsequent attack.