Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced a hostile reception at Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday when protesters surrounded her vehicle, shouted “chor’’ (thief), and allegedly hurled mud, slippers, and stones at her car as she went to meet the family of a deceased TMC worker.

Banerjee was forced to pass through a police cordon as the demonstration briefly turned the road into a charged political theatre, with the rival sides trading allegations of conspiracy, provocation, and administrative failure. “My car has been attacked with stones, shoes and mud. This is nothing but a conspiracy.” Banerjee said.