The Nandigram’s incident that resulted in an injury to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was an accident, according to preliminary police findings submitted to the Election Commission on Thursday.
The report claimed to have arrived at its conclusion via video footage and accounts of local police and eyewitnesses, including Trinamool Congress members. It says that the chief minister was hurt when her car, while maneuvering through a crowded bazaar area, hit a small iron pillar.
CM Banerjee, who enjoys a Z+ security cover (highest level), was waving at people with her car door open. She hurt her feet as the car door was slammed shut after hitting the pillar on the narrow street, the report states.
Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (March 10) suffered injuries to her left leg while campaigning in Nandigram and was rushed to Kolkata for treatment. In a video from SSKM hospital, where she is undergoing treatment, CM Banerjee has urged people to remain calm.
In response to the Nandigram incident, a delegation from the TMC had submitted a complaint to the Election Commission.
The complaint added, “Within 24 hours of the removal of the erstwhile DGP, an attempt on Ms. Mamata Banerjee’s life was made in Nandigram this evening. She was on the campaign trail and filed her nomination this afternoon. At the time of the assault neither the Superintendent of Police nor the local police was present to give her security cover, even though she is a Z Plus protectee.”
Responding to the letter sent by Trinamool Congress, the Election Commission of India has said that it was unfortunate that the letter was “full of insinuations and averments”.
“Completely incorrect to suggest that Commission has taken over law and order machinery in the state in the name of conducting elections and appropriated whole governance structure,” ECI said, adding that the incident was “indeed unfortunate” and needs to be inquired into with “promptitude and dispatch”.