Bengal
Bengal jhalmuri vendor who served PM Modi claims threat calls from Pakistan, Bangladesh
Kolkata/IBNS: A street food vendor from West Bengal’s Jhargram district, who gained attention after serving Jhalmuri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign visit, has claimed he is receiving threat calls from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The vendor, identified as Vikram Sao, alleged that unknown callers have repeatedly threatened him and his family over the past few days.
Speaking to media outlets, Sao said he had received multiple phone and video calls from international numbers allegedly originating from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
He claimed the callers threatened to kill him and warned of bomb attacks.
According to Sao, some callers also made threatening gestures during video calls and allegedly displayed weapons while speaking to him.
He further said that threatening WhatsApp messages had also been sent to him.
Sao stated that the callers usually began conversations with religious greetings before issuing threats.
The Jhargram vendor came into the spotlight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped at his stall during a campaign visit on April 19.
In a video shared on social media, the Prime Minister was seen asking Sao to prepare Jhalmuri, a popular puffed rice snack made with onions, chillies and mustard oil.
The footage also showed the Prime Minister offering payment for the snack.
Sao initially declined to accept the money before eventually taking it after repeated insistence.
The interaction quickly gained attention online and turned the vendor into a widely recognised local figure.
Sao clarified that the callers did not directly mention his interaction with the Prime Minister during the threats.
However, he said the calls began only after the video of Modi’s visit became widely circulated.
He added that he was concerned about the safety of his family due to the repeated threats.
Following the allegations, local authorities reportedly provided security cover to Sao and his family.
Central police personnel have been deployed near his residence and shop as a precautionary measure.
Officials said law enforcement agencies have started an investigation into the origin of the calls and messages.
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