Kolkata: BJP MLA from Hingalganj, Rekha Patra, has been accused of forcibly evicting a farmer family from agricultural land, allegedly using her influence and police personnel to remove them from the property.The allegations surfaced after a video purportedly showing an altercation between Patra and members of the family went viral on social media on Tuesday. The video, whose authenticity could not be independently verified by TOI, shows a heated argument that allegedly escalated into a scuffle. Patra declined to comment when contacted over the phone.According to local sources, the dispute concerns around nine bighas of land in Bouthakuran area of Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas, where Patra’s parental home is located. “She and her neighbours, including Subhash Naskar, have been involved in a long-standing dispute over the property. Both sides have approached the court in connection with the matter,” a local trader said.The Naskar family claims it has been cultivating the land in accordance with a court order. Subhash Naskar reportedly produced documents supporting his claim. “The court had directed that the police be approached in case of any obstruction. Despite this, Patra forcibly removed us from the agricultural land and thereby violated the court’s directions,” Naskar said.According to local sources, the MLA arrived at the site along with police personnel and security guards to remove the Naskar family from the land. “An argument between the two sides subsequently escalated into a scuffle. Her security personnel were seen attempting to intervene after the MLA allegedly lost her temper. Police from Sandeshkhali police station later reached the spot after being informed of the incident to bring the situation under control,” a local said.“We had gone to the land to cultivate it in compliance with the court’s order, but our neighbour and the MLA herself had violated the court’s directions and refused to heed the police,” Naskar said.
