Mamata Banerjee Faces ‘Thief’ Slogans, Stone Attack in Halisahar During Visit to TMC Worker’s Family

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee faced protests in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas, on Sunday, August 9, while visiting the family of a party worker who died in police custody. Her vehicle was reportedly stopped during the visit, with protesters throwing mud and footwear at the car and raising “thief” slogans. Banerjee alleged that stones and bricks were also thrown at her vehicle and blamed BJP-linked elements for the incident.

The visit came amid allegations by the deceased worker’s family and the TMC that he was beaten to death while in police custody. Local residents, however, disputed the allegations and claimed that Banerjee’s visit had disturbed an otherwise peaceful situation. The competing claims have added to tensions in the area. Mamata Banerjee Defends Abhishek Banerjee, Says TMC Rebels Are Using Him as an 'Excuse' (Watch Video).

What Happened in Halisahar?

According to the ABP Ananda report, Banerjee arrived in Halisahar to meet the family of the deceased TMC worker. Her vehicle was stopped on the road as protests broke out. The report said protesters smeared mud on the vehicle and threw shoes and slippers towards it. Slogans including “bandit queen” and “thief” were also raised against Banerjee.

Banerjee strongly condemned the incident and alleged that people had been brought in from outside to create trouble. She said, "BJP has brought in lumpens from outside. They hurled obscene abuses. They threw large bricks. Look at the car. The entire road was pelted with bricks. We strongly condemn this. We condemn it." ‘TMC is a Single, Indivisisible Political Party’: Abhishek Banerjee Urges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Reject Rebel Faction.

Mamata Banerjee Blames BJP-Linked Elements

Banerjee alleged that the protesters were not representative of local residents and accused BJP-linked elements of creating unrest. She also alleged that the police failed to prevent stones from being thrown at her vehicle.

"Stones were thrown in front of the police. I have no anger against the police. I am angry that the Home Minister himself is creating disturbances. There is barbarism in Bengal. The police have become BJP cardholders," she said. Banerjee further alleged that the deceased worker's family had been threatened and said the TMC would pursue legal action.

She said, "Even after beating him to death in the lock-up, they are going to his house and threatening them. We had said we would come, and we have come. Bricks and large stones were thrown. Forget security. Stones were thrown at the car in front of the police."

TMC Leaders Demand Action

Banerjee was accompanied during the visit by TMC leaders Dola Sen and Kalyan Banerjee. Dola Sen alleged that the local MLA had threatened the family, saying, "The MLA himself came and threatened them."

Kalyan Banerjee described the death as a custodial death and demanded accountability from the police administration. He said, "The way he was tortured... this is a custodial death. There will be justice. They cannot force us to leave by threatening the family members. We will act."

He also alleged that the incident involving Mamata Banerjee had been planned in advance and accused Suvendu Adhikari of being behind an alleged conspiracy. "Today, Suvendu Adhikari has conspired in a pre-planned manner to attack Mamata Banerjee here. Bengal will not stop. If Mamata Banerjee is attacked, the whole of West Bengal will rise," Kalyan Banerjee said.

The allegations from the TMC have been disputed by local residents. According to the ABP Ananda report, local residents claimed that Banerjee had arrived in the area despite it being peaceful and that her visit led to the escalation in tension.

The competing versions have not been independently established in the report. Banerjee and TMC leaders have alleged a politically motivated attack, while local residents have offered a different account of how the confrontation began.

The confrontation followed the death of a TMC worker whose family and party leaders have alleged that he was beaten while in police custody. Banerjee alleged that the worker had been "beaten to death in the lock-up" and accused the authorities of failing to protect the family. She also alleged that the worker had been taken away at night and beaten at a women's hostel.

Kalyan Banerjee similarly alleged that the worker was taken away around 2 am and that his name was not included in the FIR. He demanded the resignation of the Director General of Police and the police commissioner. These remain allegations made by the TMC and the deceased worker's family; the available report does not establish them as independently verified findings.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2026 03:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).