Bhangar land agitation leader arrested

The West Bengal Police on Thursday arrested Alik Chakraborty, key leader behind the anti-power grid agitation at Bhangar in State’s South 24 Parganas district. A team of Baruipur District Police arrested Mr Chakraborty in. Bhubaneswar during the day.

The arrest followed victory of the candidates backed by the Committee for Protection of Land, Livelihood, Ecology and Environment (CPLLEE), in the panchayat polls, despite strong resistance by the Trinamool Congress. s. Mr Chakraborty, associated with theCPI(M-L) Red Star, played a crucial role in setting up and augmenting the support base of CPLLEE.

Arjit Sinha, Superintend of Bariupur police told The Hindu that the arrest had been carried out to execute a warrant issued by a court in connection with a case started by the CID of the State Police against Mr Chakraborty. Mr Sinha also added that several cases against Alik Chakraborty had been lodged in different police stations where he has been booked under Arms Act, Explosive Act and also for crimes like murder.

Earlier the police had arrested more than 10 persons under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act which included Sharmistha Chowdhury, another prominent leader of CPI(M-L) Red Star, . The Calcutta High Court granted bail to Ms Chowdhury in July 2017.

Bhangar had been tense since January 2017 when protests against a proposed power plant turned violent and two villagers were killed allegedly in police firing. The area had remained tense since then The recently concluded rural polls also saw bloodshed with one supporter of CPLLEE being shot dead.