Security has been tightened around a well-known jhalmuri stall in West Bengal’s Jhargram after the owner allegedly received death threats following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit during the recent election campaign.
Police said Bikram Kumar Sau, who runs the roadside stall near Raj College More, filed a complaint claiming that since May 17 he has been receiving threatening calls and messages.
Sau drew public attention after Modi stopped at his stall on April 19 and ate jhalmuri, a popular Bengali snack, while returning from a rally.
In his complaint at Jhargram police station, Sau alleged that some callers identified themselves as being from Pakistan and Bangladesh. They allegedly threatened to kill him and blow up his stall. He also claimed that during a WhatsApp video call, a few people showed firearms and threatened him.
“I became very scared after getting repeated threats. My family members were frightened too, and I had closed the shop for a few days,” Sau told reporters on Saturday after reopening the stall.
Police have started an investigation into the matter, and cybercrime officials are helping trace the origin of the calls and messages.
“A complaint has been lodged and every angle is being looked into. We are checking where the calls and messages came from,” a senior police officer said.
As part of the security measures, authorities have deployed four CAPF personnel outside the stall and installed CCTV cameras nearby.
“The businessman and his family have been provided security. Necessary preventive steps have been taken to avoid any untoward incident,” the officer added.
After Modi’s visit, the small roadside stall became widely popular and reportedly saw a sharp increase in customers.
The BJP had recently performed strongly in the Junglemahal region, including Jhargram, and later formed the government in West Bengal after defeating the All India Trinamool Congress.