Kolkata. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal unit president and Union Minister Sukant Majumdar was arrested by the police on Wednesday afternoon as part of “preventive” measures while visiting violence-hit Beldanga adjacent to Murshidabad. Prohibitory orders were imposed by the police in Krishnanagar area of Nadia district. A senior officer gave this information. However, after a few hours Majumdar was released on bail.
The official said that this action was taken against the Union Minister of State for Education under Section 170 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS). Arrests under this section are made to prevent possible cognizable offences. A senior officer of Krishnanagar police district told PTI, “Majumdar was arrested as a precautionary measure under section 170 of the BNSS. He was going towards the place where prohibitory orders were in force.” After being arrested by the Kotwali police station officials, Majumdar said, “I was trying to go to Beldanga to take stock of the situation there. Our party workers have blocked roads in other areas in protest against the police stopping us from going to Beldanga.” After Majumdar’s arrest, BJP workers protested in various parts of the state.
Earlier, Majumdar’s convoy was stopped by the police while going to Beldanga in Murshidabad district. About 17 people have been injured in the clash between two communities in Beldanga. Police cited prohibitory orders in force in the area and said the BJP leader’s visit could disturb peace. There was a clash between two communities in Beldanga on Saturday night over an objectionable message on the board installed at the temporary gate built for Kartik Puja.
A large police contingent stopped Majumdar’s convoy at Krishnanagar in Nadia district, following which the BJP MP staged a protest.
Majumdar told reporters, “The police are saying that prohibitory orders are in force in the area so I cannot go there. They stopped me about 70 kilometers before Beldanga. We are not going to disturb the law and order situation there. We asked them to take us to the DM or SP office but they are not letting us go.”
According to a senior officer of Krishnanagar police district, Majumdar was stopped as a precautionary measure as it was feared that his visit might disturb peace in the area. He told ‘PTI-Bhasha’, “This was a precautionary step. “We cannot allow anyone to enter Beldanga as prohibitory order is in force there.” After at least 17 people were injured and properties were damaged in a clash between two communities in Beldanga, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the area and suspended internet services.