Dakshin Dinajpur (West Bengal), April 3 – Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar, on Friday, expressed his concerns about the arrest of AIMIM leader Mofakkarul Islam by the West Bengal Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly being the mastermind behind the harassment of judicial officers in Kaliachak, Malda district. Alleging a connection between Islam and the Trinamool Congress, he accused the ruling party of trying to protect him.
Mofakkarul Islam was arrested at Bagdogra airport in the Darjeeling district on Friday while attempting to flee the state, which is heading for elections.
West Bengal will hold elections in two phases on April 23 and 29.
Union Minister Majumdar questioned the hasty arrest by the CID.
"I have doubts about the CID arresting him (Mofakkarul Islam) in a hurried manner. We will only know whether he has been genuinely arrested or if this was done to protect him, after the investigation," he said.
He presented pictures of Mofakkarul Islam alongside Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, as well as posts showing the AIMIM leader standing alongside, which he claimed were leaders of the ruling party.
Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Majumdar said, "Whether someone else is involved or not, the Trinamool Congress is definitely involved."
"I have shown you the pictures of Mofakkarul Islam standing alongside Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as well as with other leaders of the party. This shows how he was connected or was connected with the Trinamool," he asserted.
He also accused Chief Minister Banerjee of trying to consolidate votes from the Muslim community.
"By rekindling old relations and blaming the BJP, Mamata Banerjee's plan is all about consolidating Muslim votes," Union Minister Majumdar said.
Regarding reports of Mofakkarul Islam posting on Facebook despite being in the custody of the CID, the Union Minister said, "Even if someone goes live on Facebook while in the custody of the CID, it supports my allegation that the CID has been made to arrest Mofakkarul so that he can live peacefully. Because if the NIA arrests him, their treatment will be harsh."
Moreover, Union Minister Majumdar added, "The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting an investigation at the direction of the Chief Election Commissioner."
On Wednesday night, when the harassment of the judicial officers took place, a person was seen addressing an agitated mob at Kaliachak, which had held the judicial officer hostage for around seven hours.
Later, the person, seen addressing the mob and making provocative statements, was identified as Mofakkarul Islam.
An arrest warrant was issued against him, and he was finally arrested at the airport on Friday morning.