1 week ago
Former CPM MLA arrested over protest, granted bail amid allegations
A group of CPM supporters held a protest in Chinsurah about higher prices and hawker evictions.
The protest became tense when marchers and police clashed.
Police said some protesters broke law-and-order rules and increased tensions.
They arrested former MLA Srutinath Praharaj and two other activists several days later.
A court granted bail to all three people.
CPM leaders said the arrests were unfair and politically motivated.
They claimed BJP supporters had attacked the protesters and damaged a temporary stage.
Police and the CPM therefore gave different accounts of what happened.
Former Uttarpara CPM MLA Srutinath Praharaj was arrested over an August 10 agitation in Chinsurah.
Police also arrested CPM activists Dipak Chakraborty and Anupam Chakraborty over alleged law-and-order violations.
The protest concerned rising prices of essential commodities and evictions of hawkers.
Police used a lathi-charge after protesters and police clashed near Gharir More; at least five people were injured.
A Chinsurah court granted bail to all three, while CPM leaders accused authorities of selectively targeting protesters.
- Who
- Former CPM MLA Srutinath Praharaj and activists Dipak Chakraborty and Anupam Chakraborty were arrested; CPM and police offered differing accounts.
- What
- The three were arrested over alleged law-and-order violations and inciting tension during a CPM agitation; they were later granted bail.
- Where
- The incident occurred near Gharir More in Chinsurah town, Hooghly, West Bengal, and the three appeared before a Chinsurah court.
- When
- The agitation took place on August 10, and the arrests occurred around 2am on Tuesday; bail was granted Tuesday afternoon.
- Why
- Police cited alleged law-and-order violations and incitement of tension; the CPM said the arrests were an attempt to intimidate the Opposition.
Police account
CPM account
Reason for arrests
Police account
Police said the three violated law-and-order rules and incited tension during the August 10 agitation.
CPM account
The CPM said the arrests were intended to intimidate the Opposition and silence its protest.
Cause of the confrontation
Police account
Police resorted to a lathi-charge after protesters and police clashed near Gharir More.
CPM account
The CPM said the demonstration was otherwise peaceful until local BJP supporters attacked protesters and ransacked a makeshift stage.
Selective enforcement
Police account
Police arrested protesters in connection with the alleged law-and-order violation.
CPM account
Srutinath Praharaj alleged that those who attacked protesters were spared while people beaten by police and alleged 'thugs' were arrested.
Key facts
- Arrested
- Srutinath Praharaj, Dipak Chakraborty and Anupam Chakraborty
- Protest date
- August 10
- Protest issues
- Rising prices of essential commodities and hawker evictions
- Location
- Gharir More, Chinsurah town
- Injuries
- At least five people, including two policemen, were injured
- Court outcome
- A Chinsurah court granted bail to all three arrested people
- Additional arrests
- Police had arrested four CPM supporters on the day of the agitation
Quotes
Srutinath Praharaj
Former CPM MLA from Uttarpara and retired professor
“The BJP fears the CPM. If they think that by unleashing panic and making late-night arrests they would silence us, it would be a mistake.”
telegraphindia.com
“If raising one's voice for the poor and the deprived is an offence, I will commit the same offence again and again.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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