18 individuals, including Mofakkerul Islam, a leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), were apprehended by the West Bengal Police for orchestrating demonstrations in Malda on Wednesday. Islam, a lawyer and the AIMIM’s candidate from Itahar in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, was identified as the architect behind the Malda unrest and was arrested at Bagdogra Airport while trying to escape the state.
A video emerged showing Islam openly confronting senior officials, such as the SP and DM, during the protest. He was heard challenging them by saying, “Oye DM, oye SP who is the CID? Where is the IB? Where are you all? Come here.”
AIMIM has affirmed Islam’s continued affiliation with the party. The Inspector General (IG) of North Bengal confirmed that 18 arrests have been made in connection with the incident, with ongoing raids under his personal supervision.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the Kaliachak incident in Malda. Sonia Singh, an IPS officer of IG rank and the lead investigating officer, arrived in Kolkata to oversee the probe.
Seven judicial officers overseeing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal were held captive for over nine hours after a large protest outside the Kaliachak II Block Development Office (BDO). The incident was brought to the attention of the Supreme Court, where the Bengal government was criticized for its handling of the situation, termed as a “criminal failure.” The court directed the Election Commission to deploy central forces for the protection of judicial officers and ordered the investigation to be transferred to central agencies.
Moreover, the Chief Justice mandated restrictions on the number of people allowed at the BDO premises where adjudication work is ongoing. The chief secretary, DGP, and district magistrate were summoned to appear on April 6 to explain why action should not be taken against them for their handling of the incident.