8 arrested in Bankura as Bengal CM denies BJP role in attack

Eight people have been arrested in West Bengal's Bankura district after the father of a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) volunteer died following an alleged assault, ABP Live reports. The victim, Janab Mafik, died at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital on Saturday, August 15, two days after he was allegedly attacked at his home in Karisunda village. His wife, Hasina Begum, lodged a complaint at Indas Police Station on Sunday, naming five people and alleging 10-15 attackers were involved.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has denied any link between the accused and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling them criminals who will face legal action, Siasat reports. "There is no BJP connection here. They are all criminals," Adhikari told reporters. The CJP alleges that the attack followed volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez's visit to a local primary school as part of the "School Thik Karo" campaign to assess infrastructure. The party claimed a teacher informed local BJP workers about the visit, prompting the assault.

Police say three of the eight arrested were named in the complaint, and five will be sent for an identification parade. The CJP's founder and national convener, Abhijeet Dipke, said a party team will visit West Bengal and demanded justice. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has called for an investigation, suggesting the incident may stem from a local dispute, ABP Live adds.