BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was reportedly stopped by police from entering a martyr’s day memorial in Jhargram's Lalgarh on Friday afternoon, with saffron camp alleging that the police had stonewalled the leader’s visit at Trinamul’s behest.

The incident took place inside the Jhitka jungle area on the way to Netai village, where Suvendu has attended a memorial day event every year since 2011. On January 7 that year, CPM cadres were accused of gunning down nine villagers, including four women, from a guerrilla-type camp operating from a party leader's home. The CBI had subsequently charged at least 20 Left leaders from the area for the violent act.

"Suvendu has observed this memorial every year since, especially because coincidentally, January 7, 2007, also marks the day three civilians lost their lives in the Nandigram land agitation," said a senior BJP worker, referring to Suvendu's former repute as a spearhead of the Trinamul's counter to the CPM's perceived strongarming of farmers in their land acquisition effort.

The incident occurred on Friday after Suvendu had completed his obeisance at the Nandigram ceremony and was on his way to martyrs’ memorial in Netai, following which he was scheduled to meet families of the victims.

BJP leaders have cried foul following the incident given Suvendu's claims that police permission had been sought in advance.

Speaking to reporters impromptu during the stand-off with police, Suvendu was heard saying: "The programme announced by the Trinamul was at 10 am. I arrived at 3 pm after attending the Prime Minister's virtual programme. Even after that I am not allowed to enter. You don't even obey the high court."

He was ostensibly responding to police claims that a Trinamul programme was already underway at Suvendu's destination.

Asked, Jhargram superintendent of police Biswajit Ghosh said: "He was told to wait for a while as another event was going on in the village. But he left without waiting. And those who are already in the village have been asked to finish the programme as soon as possible. "

In the wake of this incident, a district Trinamool leader said: "Trinamool had a programme to observe martyrs' day at Netai from 8am to 10pm. The programme was being held with police permission. The administration will be able to say why Suvendu Adhikari was detained by the police. No one from the Trinamul has stopped him."