Hotelier dies after threat from Trinamool worker, BJP blames Mamata

Kolkata, June 24 (IANS) Following the death of a hotelier after he was threatened, allegedly by a Trinamool Congress activist, the BJP Tuesday urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rein in criminals to save West Bengal from "rapidly impending anarchy".

Sumit Naha, who owned a lodge in Howrah, died following a heart attack at his residence at Baguiati in Kolkata's north eastern outskirts early Monday with his family alleging that he could not bear the incessant threats and intimidation by local Trinamool activists.

Naha's mother Manju claimed that her son was being threatened to withdraw a police complaint he had filed after his manager was assaulted and threatened in the lodge by a gangster having links with the Trinamool.

The family in a police complaint has submitted CCTV footage which shows a gangster, claimed to be a Trinamool activist, assaulting the manager.

"This incident is a glaring example of the widespread extortion by Trinamool goons. Enjoying patronage of the ruling party, antisocial and criminals are wreaking havoc. On the other hand, the administration and the police have been rendered useless," state Bharatiya Janata Party president Rahul Sinha told media persons here.

While no arrest has been made in connection with the assault on the manager, Howrah Police Commissioner A.M. Ranade said police were on the lookout for the assaulter.

"Raids are being conducted, the man has fled. We are conducting a probe. We are taking all necessary legal action," he said.

Claiming that lawlessness in Bengal was rapidly increasing, Sinha blamed the administration and held Banerjee - who heads the home department - responsible.

"She has been assessing the performance of other ministers, but the unfortunate fact is that the home department which she holds has been worst performing. We, therefore, urge her to take action and save Bengal from this rapidly impending anarchy," he said.