Mamata Banerjee, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, India, was allegedly attacked with a knife close to her home on Tuesday evening. The incident happened while she was heading back from the inauguration of a Durga Puja pandal.
In a social media post, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale alleged that the attacker was under the influence of drugs. He said the person was targeting her near her residence.
Police complaint names woman as alleged attacker
Mamata was heading to inaugurate a pandal nearby with Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen when a woman allegedly began shouting abuse at her, even after addressing her as ‘pisi’, or aunt. Sen later filed a complaint with the police, alleging that the woman, Tannistha Saha, was ‘known as a civic volunteer and a drug addict’.
In an email to the Officer-in-Charge of Kalighat Police Station, Sen further alleged that Saha had come ‘with a violent mood’ and attacked the former chief minister with a knife. Saha also reportedly claimed to be Mamata’s niece, Sen said. “She was hurling abusive language and, in an intoxicated manner, tried to violently approach Mamata Banerjee,” the MP alleged.
Suspect detained as police begin probe
Police later detained Saha and started an investigation into the allegations against her. Sen said it was concerning that someone of that kind could reach the gate of the home of a Z-plus category security protectee, raising questions about a wider conspiracy.
