A thunderstorm disrupted the Trinamul Congress’s mass outreach programme on Friday afternoon in Nadia, eventually leading to the cancellation of at least two public rallies which were to be addressed by Abhishek Banerjee.

Two decoration workers were injured at Badkulla as a broken piece of an iron angle of the makeshift tent erected at the venue at the Anami club ground fell.

At the same time, another worker was electrocuted during the thunderstorm that also uprooted an electric post and a number of gates erected by the party to welcome the leader.

One of the decorator workers, Suman Hembram, who suffered head injuries, was admitted to Badhkulla rural hospital.

On May 16, Abhishek’s two public meetings were cancelled at Ausghram and Mangalkot in East Burdwan because of heavy rain and gusty wind.

Abhishek’s scheduled visit to the Matua abode of Thakurbari on Saturday has been postponed apparently because of a weather threat. “The visit was scheduled for Saturday evening, along with an interaction with community leaders. But according to our leader’s advice, we have rescheduled the programme for early Sunday afternoon”, Trinamul leader Mamatabala Thakur said.

On Friday, the Trinamuley Nabo Jowar that began on April 25 completed 4,000 kilometres. Abhishek tweeted the achievement expressing his gratitude for the support of the people. “It fills my heart with profound gratitude as I recall the invaluable experiences and the unwavering support of the people…Together we are a force to reckon with”, he said in the tweet.

Abhishek, who began his journey for the Badkulla meeting from Debagram in the afternoon following a road show, had to suspend movement of his convoy for about onehour on NH12 near Nakashipara in the wake of the thunderstorm.

The Badkulla rally, scheduled for 2pm, was cancelled at about 3.30pm since the thunderstorm unsettled the arrangements, disrupted power service and caused some panic among the public.

Senior party leader Rajib Banerjee announced the cancellation of the programme.

“The situation is beyond our control because of the sudden weather problem. The thunderstorm otherwise brought a respite to the people amid the scorching heat but spoiled our arrangements. People become panicked and two persons were injured and the power service was discontinued. So, according to the advice of our leader, we have been compelled to cancel the public meeting.”

Abhishek, however, disembarked from his car while crossing the area at 4.45 pm, and walked about 500 meters to interact with people amid rain.

Murder cry, blockade with body

Malda: Over 100 persons on Friday raised an hour-long blockade at a prominent crossing in Malda town with the body of a youth, alleging police inaction in his “murder” by the son of a local Trinamul leader.

The group reached Foara More, near the district collectorate, with the body of Hridoy Das of Aurobindo Colony.

Sources said Hridoy, 28, was found hanging at a building in Bulbulchandi on Thursday.

His kin and neighbours claimed he was killed by Navin Daga of Bulbulchandi, the son of a local Trinamul leader, and hanged to make it look like suicide, but the police had not arrested the culprit.

Police said a probe was on and no one would be shielded.

Navin did not take calls.

SOUMYA DE SARKAR