Former Trinamul Congress MLA and strongman of Bhangar Arabul Islam was finally arrested for allegedly orchestrating an attack on CPI(M) MLA Abdur Rezzak Mollah at Kantatala in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district on January 6. Mollah had to be admitted at a private city hospital where he is still being treated.
The district administration under deputy superintendent of police (crime) Salil Bhattacharya took Arabul into custody from near Parama Island on EM Bypass and slapped four non-bailable charges under the IPC, Arms Act and Indian Explosives Act. He was also booked for seven more cases. Arabul was produced at the Baruipur sub-divisional court under tight security. The court sent him to five-day police custody.
District police superintendent Pravin Tripathi informed that various non-bailable charges have been slapped on him, including that of rioting, property destruction, and attempt to murder. The charges were framed after two FIRs were filed against Arabul: On January 6 for attacking the CPI(M) MLA at Kantatala and on January 8 for opening fire at the protest rally organised by CPI(M) local supporters at Bamanghata.
In response to the first FIR, the police slapped the IPC sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 325, 427 and additional charges under the Arms Act sections 25 and 27 and Indian Explosive Act of 9(B) on him. For the second FIR, the police booked him under IPC sections 307 and 326.
Arabul was first taken to the Baruipur court from where he was taken to the Baruipur sub-divisional hospital for medical intervention after which he was produced at the court. The police had pressed for seven days custody. Huge contingent of police was deployed outside the Baruipur court as well as in Bhangar. Shops at Bhangar were closed down this afternoon in fear of repercussions due to the arrest of the strongman of the area.
When asked about his arrest despite senior party leaders and state ministers standing by him, Arabul said: “I will not comment on the police action. But I do not know whether there will be peace in Bhangar.”
It maybe recalled that the CPI(M) had demanded Arabul’s arrest within 48 hours of the attack on Mr Mollah. However, top leaders of Trinamul Congress had come out in support of their party comrade. State urban development and municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim had said that Mr Mollah had himself tried to create tension in the area despite being warned by the district administration not to go where local Trinamul Congress had organised a rally.
Sports minister Madan Mitra had termed Arabul as the representative of the youth.
The incident had, however, irked governor M.K. Narayanan who vehemently condemned it and said: “This is not a good political culture. I think some sort of goondaism is going on here.” Reacting to his statement, state panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee had said: “Trinamul Congress has shown Mr Narayan yellow card. And if the time comes we will show him the red card.”
However, later the governor and chief minister Mamata Banerjee shared the dais during an official programme and exchanged greetings. Mr Mukherjee was soon stripped off the power to speak on behalf of the Mamata Banerjee government.