Bengal BJP President Arrested For Attempting To Visit Violence-Hit Howrah

Picture courtesy PTI

Kolkata: Police arrested West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday after he attempted to visit violence-hit areas in West Bengal’s Howrah district despite the state government issuing Section 144 CrPC order.

Police first tried to prevent Majumdar from leaving his New Town residence, saying that his visit to Howrah may lead to deterioration of law and order situation. When Majumdar tried to leave despite police’s stand, BJP workers got into a scuffle with cops.

Majumdar ultimately dodged the cops and set out for Howrah, but was stopped at Vidyasagar Setu toll plaza where he was arrested.

Various pockets of Howrah have seen violence since Thursday, with protests against now-expelled BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her objectionable comments on Prophet Muhammad.

Shops, vehicles, two-wheelers, toll plaza offices have been set on fire. BJP claimed one of their rural party offices was also charred in the mayhem.

The Mamata Banerjee-headed government imposed Section 144 in Howrah on Saturday, prohibiting public gathering of four or more people in concerned areas.

The Howrah CP and SP have been shunted out, while Internet service was snapped in some parts of Howrah as well.

According to police, Majumdar violated the government order by attempting to visit the area. He was taken to Lalbazar Central lock-up of Kolkata Police.

Another BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal was also stopped by police from visiting violence-hit areas in Howrah.

“I condemn the manner in which @BJP4Bengal President; MP Sri @DrSukantaBJP & Party Secretary; eminent Lawyer Smt @impriyankabjp have been obstructed by WB Administration. It’s proof that they’re hiding the truth. I am on the way to Balarampur; Purulia, to address a public meeting,” Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari tweeted.