Bengal STF arrests CPI-M leader Layek Ali in connection with Baruipur unrest

Kolkata, July 13 (IANS) CPI-M leader Layek Ali was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police on Sunday night in connection with the unrest in Baruipur. Ali had contested this year’s Assembly election as the Left Front candidate from the Baruipur Paschim constituency.

Police did not specify the charges under which he was arrested. However, according to sources, investigators found his alleged links to incidents of road blockades, vandalism and attacks on police personnel during protests that erupted following the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl. Sources said he was arrested on the basis of those findings.

A senior West Bengal Police officer said Layek Ali was arrested by the STF in the Baruipur case over alleged inflammatory remarks linked to protests following the alleged rape and murder incident.

The Suryapur area of Baruipur witnessed widespread unrest after the body of the minor girl was recovered on July 5. Since the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has visited Baruipur twice. Besides assuring strict punishment for those accused in the alleged rape and murder of the minor, he also warned of action against those accused of inciting violence during the protests. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the unrest. Allegations that Layek had incited violence had been raised from the outset, following which police arrested him.

Police sources claimed that Layek was present at the protest site on the day of the incident. They said he was arrested based on evidence that emerged during the investigation. He will be produced before the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Court on Monday. Police sources added that the role of several others in the incident is also under investigation.

It may be recalled that a man identified as Indrajit Mandal was killed in a mob lynching after the minor’s body was recovered. Subsequent investigation revealed that he had no connection with the alleged rape and murder of the minor. Suvendu Adhikari also stated that Indrajit was innocent. He visited Indrajit’s residence on Saturday and met his family. The Chief Minister said in Baruipur, “Those who were rejected in the elections are behind this provocation.”

The body of the minor girl was recovered from a pond in Suryapur. Police said she was allegedly gang-raped and murdered. The incident triggered large-scale protests in the area, with demonstrators also blocking railway tracks. Indrajit was allegedly beaten to death after being suspected of involvement in the crime.

So far, four persons have been arrested in connection with the crime against the minor girl. One of them, Pravas Mondal, was killed in an encounter last week after he allegedly attempted to escape from police custody by snatching the firearm of an escorting police officer.

Suvendu Adhikari had earlier warned that nobody involved in the unrest would be spared. With Layek Ali’s arrest, the total number of people arrested in connection with the Baruipur unrest has risen to 38.

The CPI(M) leadership has already criticised Layek Ali’s arrest. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged that Layek had been arrested for political reasons. He claimed that various kinds of propaganda had been spread against Layek since the incident.

–IANS

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