Kolkata: Police have arrested Israfil Chakdar, a close aide of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jahangir Khan, from Hasimnagar in Falta police station area. He was taken into custody late Wednesday night on charges of extortion, intimidation, and assault, police confirmed on Thursday.
Israfil Chakdar is the Trinamool chief of Banganagar II Gram Panchayat. After the Assembly elections on April 29, local women protested for two consecutive days in Hasimnagar area of Banganagar II Gram Panchayat and the protest completely blocked the road.
The protesters alleged that Trinamool-backed miscreants led by Israfil Chakdar prevented them from voting on April 29. They were not allowed to leave their homes on the day of polling. The women also accused Israfil Chakdar of beating and molesting females.
The demand for re-election in Falta arose from that protest in Hashim Nagar. Then the Election Commission completely cancelled the Falta election based on several other complaints. Re-election was held in the entire Falta Assembly constituency on May 21.
BJP candidate Debangshu Panda won by a margin of over one lakh votes. Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan’s deposit was forfeited after he came fourth in the election.
After the results were declared, police started a search for Israfil Chakdar. Police said that the accused panchayat head was arrested on Wednesday night and he will be produced before the Diamond Harbour ACJM court on Thursday.
It is worth mentioning that earlier, the police arrested Nasir Sheikh, a leader of Trinamool workers’ organisation close to Jahangir Khan. He is accused of extorting money from workers in a factory in the Falta Special Economic Zone.
Nasir Sheikh is accused of depriving workers of fair wages, extorting money and illegally dismissing workers if they did not pay the extortion money.
On Tuesday, the workers erupted in protest around Nasir Sheikh. After receiving the complaint, the Ramnagar police station first detained Nasir Sheikh, interrogated him and later arrested him.
After the arrest of one Trinamool leader after another, the question arises whether Jahangir Khan will be held next.
The Calcutta High Court has already withdrawn his protection. An order has also been issued to Jahangir Khan to cooperate in the investigation. However, Jahangir has been missing since the day before the re-election.
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–IANS
