Trinamool Pushes BJP Balance Amid Violence in Shitalkhuchi

2021 Assembly Elections. Anand Barman (19) stood at booth number 126 of Amtali in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar to vote for the first time. He was suddenly shot dead on the spot by miscreants. The Central Force’s guns roared in response . 4 fresh lives were lost. Five years have passed since then. How is Sitalkuchi? What are they thinking before the 26th Assembly Election (West Bengal Assembly Election 2026)?

Anand had gone to Hyderabad to take care of his family before he passed secondary school. He worked as a laborer. He returned to his village a few months before the elections. He went to the booth at 7 am. He stood in the queue. But then the attack. The voting queue was scattered with bombs. A bullet hit Anand. He fell down in a bloody state. He died on the spot.

Anand’s brother Govinda Barman is still fuming. Even after five years, he is demanding punishment for the culprits. Govinda says, ‘Parents still shed tears for their brother. But we will never get our brother back.’ After that, he said with a firm jaw, ‘Not a single person has been caught yet. I want the culprits to be punished.’

The area became heated around that incident. Allegedly, violence broke out at the Amtali booth as the day progressed. Four villagers were killed in the firing by central forces. Among them were Moniruzzaman Mia (29), Hamidul Mia (32), Samiul Haque (24), and Nur Alam (19). An uproar spread throughout the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot the next day.

Shitalkhuchi is not happy about losing her son. As the elections approach, the residents of the area are upset. I remember that bloody picture. The sound of gunfire is ringing in my ears. Moniruzzaman’s brother Pinku Rahman says, ‘After grandfather’s death, my grandmother got a job. But she left home within a year.’ A case was filed against the CISF after the incident. The accused jawans also got bail. However, the case is not over yet. It is ongoing.’