BJP MP Raju Bista Visits Family of Assaulted Pregnant Adivasi Woman, Warns West Bengal Govt of Protests in North Bengal

Siliguri/Darjeeling, February 17, 2026 — Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP and BJP National Spokesperson Raju Bista on Tuesday met the bereaved family of a pregnant Adivasi woman who was allegedly brutally assaulted in December 2025, leading to the premature birth and subsequent death of her infant child. During the visit, Bista expressed condolences, pledged support for justice, and issued a strong warning to the West Bengal government, cautioning that delays in delivering justice could spark widespread protests across North Bengal.

In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Bista recounted the incident: On December 23, 2025, the pregnant woman from an Adivasi (tribal) family in the Phansidewa area near Bagdogra was allegedly attacked repeatedly by Mohammad Kadir Ali and his associates. The assault reportedly occurred after the family objected to what they claim was an illegal transfer of their ancestral land. As a result, the child was born prematurely on January 8, 2026, bearing visible injuries, and died within three days.

Bista highlighted that locals filed complaints immediately after the December assault, but alleged that police took no action against the accused until after the infant’s death. Even then, only one individual has been arrested so far, he claimed. He described the land transfer as shocking, suggesting it could not have occurred without “active collusion or gross negligence” by officials from the Block Land and Land Reforms Office (BLRO) and the Registrar’s Office, and called for an immediate impartial probe.

Accompanied by photographs from the meeting showing him with family members, Bista emphasized the broader implications amid what he termed “rapidly changing demographic structure” in the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars regions. “Increasing atrocities on indigenous people are a matter of grave concern. Today, our daughters are getting assaulted in our own homes,” he wrote, stressing that protecting fundamental rights and women’s dignity is a collective responsibility.

He issued a direct warning to the West Bengal government: “Delay in ensuring justice for our Adivasi family could result in the entire North Bengal region erupting in protests.” Bista urged the state police to act swiftly and apply the strictest provisions of law against all perpetrators, adding that any resulting protests would be the sole responsibility of the government.

This visit follows earlier protests on the same issue. On January 29, 2026, the BJP, along with the Janjati Suraksha Manch and local communities, organized a large rally in Bagdogra demanding strict action. Participants, including Adivasi and other community members, marched through the streets carrying banners and chanting slogans. BJP MLA Durga Murmu addressed the gathering, describing the assault’s brutality and highlighting land dispute concerns. Family members shared accounts of the violence, including visible injury marks on the newborn.

The incident has reignited discussions on land rights for tribal communities, alleged administrative lapses in property transfers, and rising concerns over safety and justice for indigenous groups in North Bengal. The West Bengal Police and state government have not yet issued a public response to Bista’s latest statements or the specific allegations of delay and negligence.

The case remains under investigation, with calls growing for comprehensive action to address both the criminal assault and the underlying land transfer irregularities.

Also read: Massive Protest In Bagdogra Demands Justice For Assaulted Pregnant Tribal Woman | Justice For Jhamaklal Village: Raju Bista Seeks Governor’s Intervention Over Assault On Pregnant Adivasi Woman | Jhamaklal Village Case: Tear Gas And Water Cannons Used On Protesters Demanding Justice For Adivasi Woman