A municipal sanitation worker was allegedly thrashed by a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor in Liluah, Howrah on Tuesday.
Anandabazar Patrika reported that the victim Rajkumar Dom (55-years-old) spent two days at the hospital after which he lodged a written complaint against TMC leader Narayan Majumdar.
The report adds that the incident occurred at municipal ward no. 66, in Panchanantala area, Liluah, Howrah. A resident in the area had asked the ward office to remove the rotten carcass of an animal.
Per the report, around 12.30 pm on Tuesday, Rajkumar went to the area and asked for kerosene oil from the residents, to get rid of the rotting smell. Rajkumar claims that after this, he was called into the local party office and the former councillor beat him up.
Rajkumar reportedly said he sustained injuries on his head, chest and stomach. He was later admitted to a local hospital.
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Rajkumar told the newspaper, “The former councilor started thrashing me, without even letting me speak. He kicked me on the road, in front of a hundred witnesses.”
Narayan Majumdar told Anandabazar Patrika, “Rajkumar is lying. After repeated complaints over four days, when he came to remove the dead body he was drunk. He asked for a bribe of Rs. 3,000.”
“I then asked him to come to the party office. I was angry when he asked for the bribe, but I didn’t beat him up. I just shoved him out of the office,” he reportedly said.
However, Rajkumar refutes the bribery accusations levelled against him. He reiterated he was thrashed only because he asked for kerosene oil to get rid of the smell.
Rajkumar will also be employed as a poll worker during the upcoming elections. Hence, he has also complained to the state election commission, Anandabazar Patrika reported.