Five families of Trinamul supporters in Cooch Behar have filed a complaint with the block administration that the elected representatives of the BJP in their panchayat have “imposed a social boycott” on them.

These charges are rare. After the rural polls, such charges were levelled by BJP workers and elected representatives that Trinamul leaders and workers were cornering them in their villages.

On September 1, the five families in Turkanirkuthi village under Tufanganj-II block of the district filed a complaint with BDO Prasenjit Kundu, alleging they were being ostracised in the village at the behest of local BJP leaders.

The village falls under Salbari-II panchayat, where the BJP has won 10 seats and Trinamul the remaining three.

“Ever since the BJP formed the board in the panchayat, we got ostracised. They forced my son to shut his barber's shop and warned us against visiting local markets,” alleged Amar Seal, a Trinamul supporter.

Rajkumar Barman, another Trinamul supporter, alleged he could not farm in his field and that fish were being stolen from his pond.

Another senior supporter of Mamata Banerjee’s party in said his two tractors were "idling" at home.

“They are not allowing me to run my two tractors that I provide on rent. Nobody is allowed to ask for my tractors,” said this person who did not want to be named.

Trinamul supporter Bhajan Seal said he was forced to shut his grocery shop. The fifth Trinamul supporter, Bhabesh Das, said he was not allowed to harvest jute.

“BJP leaders, especially Manoranjan Baria, who is the new pradhan, are behind this social boycott. They have made it clear that we will not be allowed to visit markets, we can’t talk to our neighbours and our children can’t go to schools and colleges,” said Bhabesh.

Trinamul leaders of the block claimed at least 40 to 50 families of Trinamul supporters of villages under Salbari-II panchayat were facing the problem.

“The BJP has unleashed a reign of terror here. Along with social boycott, they are assaulting our people in markets,” said Parimal Karji, Trinamul chairman of Salbari-II panchayat area.

Baria countered: “People voted us, so some Trinamul supporters are trying to malign us. No one has been boycotted,” he said.

BDO Prasenjit Kundu said he asked Baxirhat police to look into it.