Sandeshkhali: ISF MLA held, Congress delegation stopped

 

 

 

 

 

POLICE on Tuesday arrested Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Nausad Siddique and prevented senior State Congress leaders from heading towards the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. However, despite tight security, a delegation of pro-Left intellectuals managed to enter Sandeshkhali to engage with local residents and assess the prevailing situation. Siddique, who represents Bhangar constituency in South 24 Parganas district, was apprehended near Science City here under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which pertains to arresting a person to prevent cognisable offences, a police official said. The ISF MLA was taken to the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar.

 

Authorities in the North 24 Parganas district have imposed prohibitory orders in the sensitive areas of Sandeshkhali to thwart any untoward incidents. Expressing surprise over his arrest, Siddique affirmed his intention to meet villagers in Sandeshkhali and underscored his compliance with regulations. “I don’t know why they arrested me. This is several kilometres away from Sandeshkhali. I was going there to meet the villagers. I did not break any rules. Why was I stopped here when prohibitory orders are imposed in Sandeshkhali,” Siddique told reporters.