In a deeply disturbing incident, a nine-year-old girl was killed in a crude bomb attack on Monday, June 23, 2025, just hours after the announcement of the Kaliganj Assembly bypoll results in West Bengal’s Nadia district. The child, a Class IV student, died after explosives were thrown at her home in Molandi village, allegedly by supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, sparking political outrage and fresh concerns about post-poll violence in the state.
Family Claims Political Targeting
According to the grieving family, they were supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and believe they were attacked because of their political allegiance. The girl’s mother, Sabina Yeasmin, recounted the horrifying moment. “I didn’t send her to school fearing violence. We were heading for a bath when the bombs were hurled. They came and killed her inside our home,” she said, adding that she recognized the attackers.
The attack left visible damage to houses in the area, with bomb marks found on walls and roofs.
Political Reactions and Arrest
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences and described the incident as “shocking and deeply saddening.” She assured the public that police would take “strong and decisive legal action” against those responsible.
Krishnanagar Police District Superintendent K. Amarnath visited the victim’s family and pledged swift justice. However, tensions remained high during his visit. “You will do nothing,” the grieving mother told the officer. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the case.
Bypoll Results and Political Fallout
The violence erupted following the landslide victory of TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed, who defeated her BJP rival Ashish Ghosh by a margin of 50,000 votes. The CPI(M)-backed Congress candidate, Kabil Uddin Sheikh, finished third.
CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim took to social media, calling the incident an example of “TMC goon brutality.” He shared photographs of the child’s lifeless body, claiming the bomb had been hurled during a TMC victory procession.
Statewide Protests and Accusations
The tragic death sparked statewide protests. Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) president Minakshi Mukherjee led demonstrations in Plassey, while BJP supporters blocked roads in Kolkata. “What kind of celebration kills a child because their candidate won?” Mukherjee asked.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the Chief Minister of attempting “damage control” and questioned the government’s sincerity in holding the perpetrators accountable.
Recurring Pattern of Violence
Despite a peaceful polling process on June 19, the violence broke out on the day votes were counted. This incident adds to the long list of violent episodes associated with elections in West Bengal. In the 2021 Assembly polls, post-result violence led to the deaths of around 50 people. Another 40 lost their lives during the 2023 panchayat elections. Tragically, children have often become unintended victims of such clashes.
As investigations continue, the death of the young girl serves as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of political violence, renewing calls for stricter measures to ensure civilian safety during and after elections in West Bengal.
