Kolkata: Three men and two women, all Trinamool Congress workers including a former councillor, were arrested in connection with a violent clash between TMC and BJP supporters outside Kolkata airport on Friday night. The incident triggered panic among passengers and caused massive traffic disruptions.
The clash escalated into a political controversy after Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee alleged that a BJP supporter at the scene was carrying a firearm. Banerjee shared a video on X purportedly showing a man holding what appeared to be a gun.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
In a social media post, Banerjee said, "Last night at Kolkata Airport, shortly after I landed from Delhi, a shocking incident took place. Armed individuals were apprehended, leading to serious questions about security. Watch the clip and draw your own conclusions." The TMC later identified the man as Uttam Das, describing him as a local BJP leader.
Police, however, stated that Das had not been arrested and that allegations regarding the presence of firearms were being verified. Officers further said it was Das's complaint that led to the arrest of the five TMC workers: Debasis Bandyopadhyay alias Fuchu, a former councillor of South Dum Dum Municipality and a close aide of former education minister Bratya Basu, along with Alok Chakraborty (52), Subhankar Chatterjee (39), Tina Mondal (34), and Rima Biswas (34).
Arrests Based on Complaint and Evidence
Police said the arrests were made based on a complaint lodged by BJP supporter Uttam Das, who alleged he was assaulted during the confrontation. Cops relied on CCTV footage and mobile phone videos to identify the accused. A senior Bidhannagar City Police officer said, "We received a complaint from Das regarding the assault. Based on CCTV footage and video evidence, five persons were picked up from their homes during an overnight raid."
The five have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder, rioting with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, criminal conspiracy, and theft.
Sequence of Events
The violence erupted shortly before Banerjee exited the airport after arriving on a flight from Delhi, where he had met the Lok Sabha Speaker. According to sources, a group of BJP supporters had gathered outside the airport allegedly carrying eggs with the intention of protesting against the TMC leader. TMC supporters, upon learning of their presence, rushed to the spot, leading to a confrontation.
What followed was a violent scuffle in full public view, with members of both camps exchanging blows, hurling abuses, and using helmets and other objects during the clash. The incident caused severe traffic snarls and left several passengers shocked as they emerged from the terminal.
Aftermath and Denials
Amid heightened security, Banerjee exited the airport around 9:45 pm, boarded a waiting vehicle under heavy police escort, and left the area. Police personnel intervened to separate the rival groups and prevent further escalation. The crowd dispersed shortly after Banerjee's departure, but Das later approached the NSCBI Airport police station and lodged a formal complaint.
Speaking to reporters from a stretcher outside a local hospital, Das denied carrying either a firearm or eggs. "Had I been carrying a firearm, police would have arrested me and seized the weapon. I was not carrying any eggs either. One woman in our group had bought eggs for personal consumption and was taking them home," he said. Das maintained that he and others were present at the airport to receive BJP dignitaries arriving in Kolkata to participate in International Yoga Day programmes.
