Gulshan colony land dispute sparks political rift as TMC councillor faces attempted murder allegations

A land dispute in the Gulshan Colony area has escalated into a major political issue following an attempted murder on TMC Councillor Sushanta Ghosh. The incident, which took place last Friday, has brought to light a deepening rift between local political factions. Land dealer Mohammad Zulkaranain Ali, who has been involved in various land dealings in the region, has come forward with accusations that he is being wrongfully implicated in the shooting attempt. Ali claims he has been facing threats from Ghosh’s supporters and is living in constant fear, unable to return home. He also mentioned that his family members are suffering from the ongoing threats.

The root of the conflict appears to lie in the alleged illegal filling of local waterbodies, a practice that has generated significant controversy. Ali has accused Ghosh's ally, Haidar Ali, of being responsible for the landfills, which have raised concerns among local residents and environmentalists. These waterbodies, which were once vital for maintaining the area's ecological balance, have been reportedly filled in for construction purposes. Ali claimed that Ghosh, who holds considerable political influence, has been involved in land acquisition activities in the area, with the filling of waterbodies being a part of these operations. He alleged that Ghosh's followers, particularly Haidar, are heavily involved in these activities.

Ali further emphasized that he is unable to approach authorities to report the threats he is facing due to fears of retaliation. He stated that his life is at risk due to his involvement in the land dealings in Gulshan Colony. In his statement, Ali suggested that Ghosh is attempting to frame him in the shooting incident as part of a larger effort to distract from the land disputes in the area. Ali denied any involvement in the shooting and refuted the suggestion that he was responsible for inciting violence in the community.

In contrast, Councillor Sushanta Ghosh has denied any connection between the attempted murder and the land dispute. Ghosh acknowledged the ongoing controversy regarding the filling of waterbodies in the region but categorically denied any illegal activities linked to these actions. He further explained that the decision to fill the waterbodies was likely made by local factions for development purposes. Ghosh stated, "If Haidar Ali is found to be directly responsible for the filling of these waterbodies, he should be held accountable, not me." He maintained that the shooting was not related to the land dispute, calling it an attempt to obscure the real motives behind the incident.