West Bengal: Clashes erupt in Howrah after TMC’s Shamim Ahmed leads attack on BJP minority wing leader Sikandar Khan and BJP workers with bombs and bullets

Fresh incidents of post-poll violence erupted in West Bengal on Thursday as rival political workers clashed in Shibpur’s Chaurabasti area of Howrah district, leaving at least one person injured. Police have rushed heavy forces, including central paramilitary units, to the spot and detained three persons for questioning.

According to visuals and reports from the area, streets in Shibpur’s were littered with bricks, plastic debris and other objects following the clash between BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers. Howrah City Police Commissioner Akhilesh Chaturvedi confirmed that a “political clash” had taken place, resulting in one injury. “Upon receiving information, police forces immediately reached the scene and brought the situation under control. All individuals involved in this incident will be arrested as soon as possible,” he stated.

BJP leaders and local workers have alleged that the violence was triggered when TMC-affiliated miscreants, led by Shamim Ahmed alias Bore, husband of a TMC councillor and reportedly close to a local strongman, hurled bombs and opened fire targeting the residence of the BJP Minority Cell president Sikandar Khan and other BJP supporters. Several BJP workers were reportedly injured in the attack.

Following the attack, BJP activists gathered at Shibpur police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits and claiming the assault was meant to “instil fear” after the party’s landslide victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

A BJP worker said that they were celebrating the party’s victory in polls when TMC goons started to attack them by hurling bombs and firing shots. He said that at least 7 to 8 rounds were fired, and hurled 12 to 15 bombs. Moreover, bricks and stones were also pelted at them. He said that over 10 BJP workers have been injured in the attack.

The worker said, “We were here celebrating our win; my friends and brothers were all standing here. Then those people came from there, Bore’s (Shami Ahmed) goons. Bore was also with them. We don’t know where he brought all those boys from. They came and started hurling abuses at us. They used so much foul language, sir. When we went there to see what was going on, they started attacking us. They threw bricks and glass bottles at us. When we tried to defend ourselves, they started firing. They fired seven to eight rounds. As we tried to run away, they threw bombs every ten meters. They threw twelve bombs in total. A bullet passed right by me, and a bomb exploded right at my feet. Twelve to fifteen of our people were injured, and they are all now admitted to the hospital.” 

Howrah BJP President Gouranga Bhattacharya said, “Some Muslim TMC members came to the house of Sikandar Khan, the president of the district BJP minority morcha, and bombed his house and even fired shots… They created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation here. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek are unable to digest their loss… Now, they are working according to their strategy, using Muslims as a front to attack Hindus and Muslims who chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Jai Shri Ram’… they should be arrested… 4-5 of our people have been injured… They are admitted to Howrah Hospital… Everyone will be held accountable for their actions. The administration will take action…”

Shamim Ahmed has been named in past violence cases, including Ram Navami violence in the area where he was earlier arrested by the NIA. Large police and CAPF forces have been deployed in the area to maintain order, and restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed.

Police and central forces remain on high alert in sensitive pockets. Authorities are currently reviewing local footage and witness accounts to identify the primary instigators.

In a related development reported on the same day, a crude bomb was allegedly hurled at the house of TMC Kandi Block Youth President Usman Gani in Purandarpur Hatola area of Murshidabad district late on Wednesday night. Gani was not at home at the time; his wife, Riya Dutta Gani, who serves as the Kandi Panchayat Samiti’s education chairperson, was present. A formal complaint has been lodged at Kandi police station, and investigations are underway to ascertain if the blast has any political linkage. The incident has caused panic in the area.

These incidents come amid a wider wave of post-poll unrest across West Bengal following the announcement of results on 4 May 2026, in which the BJP secured a historic 207 seats, reducing the TMC to 80. Clashes, vandalism of party offices and sporadic violence have been reported from several districts, including Kolkata, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas and Murshidabad, with both sides trading allegations. At least four deaths have been reported statewide in the violence so far, including the murder of Chandranath Rath, PA of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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