Kolkata: Minister of state for tourism, information and culture and Shyampukur MLA Purnima Chakraborty’s office on Jatindra Mohan Avenue near Sovabazar allegedly came under attack by miscreants in the wee hours of Wednesday. It was alleged that the attackers damaged cutouts of PM Narendra Modi, CM Suvendu Adhikari and Chakraborty, which were put up outside the office. A complaint has been lodged with Burtolla Police Station and cops have started an investigation.The incident took place about six months after former minister Shashi Panja’s office, about 500 metres away, had been vandalised during a clash between BJP and Trinamool workers.The local MLA’s office at 30, Jatindra Mohan Avenue, where the attack took place around 3 am, serves as a Seva Kendra, helping people register for various govt schemes like Annapurna Yojana and address their grievances.Chakraborty alleged that Trinamool-backed miscreants were involved in the attack. She told TOI: “Our govt has slammed brakes on syndicate, extortion and cut-money culture. This drew the ire of the Trinamool-backed goons who targeted my office. The administration will take strict action against the accused.”There was no CCTV installed at the MLA’s office. The local party workers collected CCTV footage from a medicine shop, located about 50 metres away. “The CCTV footage shows that some people came outside the office at night and damaged the cutouts carrying the images of the PM, CM and the MLA. We came to the office in the morning and discovered that the cutouts were defaced and disfigured. Having seen the CCTV footage, we could not identify anyone. Cops will probe and find out the accused,” said a local BJP worker.The incident has sent shockwaves among the residents of the area. Mahesh Sharma, who lives next door, said: “It seems everything was done silently. We did not hear any screams or sound at night. We woke up in the morning and found that the office was vandalised.”Another resident, requesting anonymity, said: “We are scared of such disturbances in the area. We request for the administration’s action to ensure our safety and security.”
