1 hr ago
MLA Humayun Kabir Questioned Over Communal Harmony Charge
Police questioned Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir about an alleged plan to disturb communal harmony.
The plan reportedly involved turning off CCTV cameras and putting BJP flags at a proposed mosque site.
Police said a person involved in the plan had spoken with Kabir by phone.
They also said a voice test matched Kabir's voice.
Kabir was questioned for four hours and must return to the police station on Wednesday.
He denies wrongdoing and says police are unfairly targeting his party members.
He has also accused the police of helping the BJP during the election.
Separately, the RSP said it was leaving the Rejinagar bypoll because it believed the Election Commission was acting unfairly.
Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir was questioned for four hours at Behrampore police station on Monday.
Police allege Kabir conspired in a plan involving disabled CCTV cameras and BJP flags at a proposed Babri mosque site.
Kabir was released after questioning and summoned to appear again on Wednesday at 11am.
Kabir accused police of targeting AJUP leaders and working on behalf of the BJP, allegations police have not endorsed.
The RSP withdrew its Rejinagar bypoll candidate, alleging the Election Commission acted in favor of the BJP.
- Who
- Nowda MLA and AJUP chairperson Humayun Kabir was questioned by Murshidabad police; AJUP activist Sarfaraz Chowdhury was also arrested in the investigation.
- What
- Police questioned Kabir over alleged conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony and summoned him again for questioning.
- Where
- The questioning took place at Behrampore police station in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- When
- Kabir was questioned on Monday from 11am to 3pm and was ordered to return Wednesday at 11am; the Rejinagar bypoll is scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- Police said the inquiry followed an alleged plan involving disabled CCTV cameras, BJP flags and a phone conversation reportedly involving Kabir.
Police and election authorities' position
Kabir and opposition parties' position
Investigation into communal-harmony allegations
Police and election authorities' position
Police allege that a youth involved in the mosque-site incident consulted Kabir by phone, and said a voice test matched Kabir's voice, prompting the questioning.
Kabir and opposition parties' position
Kabir has not accepted the allegations in the report and has instead accused police of targeting AJUP leaders and activists.
Police conduct during the election
Police and election authorities' position
Police have arrested several AJUP figures in separate cases, including allegations involving firearms, fake notes, an old warrant and provocative statements.
Kabir and opposition parties' position
Kabir says the arrests are politically motivated, that police are acting like BJP workers, and that they are part of a plan to influence voting.
Election Commission and the Rejinagar contest
Police and election authorities' position
The Election Commission's stated position is not provided in the article; the commission refused to allot the RSP its requested spade-and-stoker symbol, according to the party.
Kabir and opposition parties' position
RSP state secretary Tapan Hore called the commission's approach blatantly partisan and said it was intended to help the BJP, while the party urged voters to stay away from what it called a farce.
Key facts
- Questioning duration
- Four hours, from 11am to 3pm on Monday
- Police questions
- Investigators reportedly asked Kabir 62 questions
- Next appearance
- Wednesday at 11am at Behrampore police station
- Alleged mosque-site incident
- CCTV cameras were allegedly turned off and 10-12 BJP flags were reportedly hung
- Related arrest
- AJUP activist Sarfaraz Chowdhury was arrested after police obtained a recording of a phone conversation
- Election date
- The Rejinagar bypoll is scheduled for October 6
- RSP decision
- The RSP withdrew its candidate and called the Election Commission's conduct partisan
Quotes
Humayun Kabir
Nowda MLA and chairperson of the AJUP
“I will take responsibility to ensure that no Muslim voter in a Muslim-dominated booth faces any difficulty in voting. To the Muslim voters, I say that you should go and cast your votes yourself. If you find obstacles, let me know immediately. I will be there. My life could be lost.”
telegraphindia.com
“If I hold a meeting, the police will later torture and arrest the party leaders and activists. So I will not campaign for the elections anymore. The party will only campaign on my Facebook page every day.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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