Naxalbari, 10th February: A Trinamool Youth Congress (TMYC) leader has been suspended following allegations of vandalising a shop after being denied cigarettes in Naxalbari. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of 06th February near the Naxalbari bus stand.
According to sources, a shopkeeper identified as Tapan Paul was running his shop late at night when Darjeeling District Trinamool Youth Congress General Secretary Partha Sarathi Mukherjee allegedly demanded cigarettes. When informed that cigarettes were not available, he allegedly vandalised the shop.
Three days after the incident, the shopkeeper lodged a written complaint. A video allegedly showing the vandalism later went viral on social media, triggering controversy in the area.
Following the incident, the Trinamool Congress issued a show-cause notice to the accused leader and subsequently suspended him. The Darjeeling District Trinamool Congress Chairperson stated that if the allegations are established, the matter will proceed strictly as per law.
BJP MLA Anandamay Barman later met the shopkeeper and his family. He said such incidents are not limited to Naxalbari alone and urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation.