Republic Bangla anchor injured in attack near Kolkata’s Park Circus; BJP leaders condemn, call for better public safety

The journalist was returning home when an unidentified assailant attempted to rob him.

On resisting, Mukherjee was allegedly injured with a sharp object and sustained serious wounds.

His wallet was also snatched during the incident, the news organisation said.

He was taken to a private hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

A police complaint was filed the same night, though no arrests have been made so far.

Reacting to the incident, West Bengal BJP General Secretary and Asansol South MLA Agnimitra Paul condemned the attack and called for immediate arrests.

“If a journalist is not safe in Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal, what security can an ordinary citizen possibly expect? This incident exposes the complete breakdown of law and order under Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio. West Bengal has become a lawless jungle, where dissenting voices, especially those critical of the regime, are silenced through violence,” she wrote on X.

Paul further stated that the West Bengal government must ensure accountability, especially as the Chief Minister also holds the Home portfolio.

Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the assault, describing it as “deeply disturbing.”

In a post on X, he pointed to what he described as growing safety concerns in Kolkata and urged the authorities to act against rising cases of street crime.

“This deeply disturbing incident once again brings to light the deteriorating state of public safety in various parts of Kolkata, largely due to administrative negligence and the persistent inaction of the police. Incidents of snatching have become increasingly rampant in Park Circus and other key areas of the city. Owing to the lack of effective policing, innocent citizens are being forced to endure such attacks on a near-daily basis. Despite receiving serious complaints, the police remain largely unresponsive in these vulnerable zones,” Sukanta Majumdar wrote on X.

In a telephonic statement to Republic, Majumdar said, “This is not the first time a journalist from Republic Bangla has been targeted. Earlier, Santu Pan was arrested and harassed.”

The attack has triggered renewed debate over public safety and the state’s policing effectiveness.

While political leaders have expressed concern and demanded action, authorities have yet to make any arrests in the case.