Malda Gherao: AIMIM Leader Arrested as West Bengal Election Tensions Rise

KALIACAK, West Bengal – An AIMIM leader has been arrested in connection with the nine-hour gherao of seven judicial officers in Malda district, West Bengal, escalating tensions ahead of the state’s assembly elections. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at the Kaliachak II Block Development Office, has sparked accusations and counter-accusations among political parties.

The Incident and Arrest

The gherao began as a protest related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls. Protesters, initially seeking a meeting with officials, surrounded the BDO office, trapping the seven judicial officers – including three women – inside for over nine hours. Mofakkarul Islam, the AIMIM leader, was arrested on Friday at Bagdogra Airport while allegedly attempting to flee the state, according to police. Authorities have identified him as the “mastermind” behind the incident. Source: ABP Live

Political Fallout and Accusations

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) for the gherao, further accusing the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of instigation. Source: The Tribune Banerjee stated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the main accused and that the police organization remains under her control, not the Election Commission. Source: The Tribune

Banerjee too criticized the Election Commission, alleging a failure to protect the judicial officers and questioning why the assembly polls cannot be conducted using the same electoral rolls as the 2024 General Election. Source: Times Now News She further claimed she was not informed about the incident and expressed concerns about potential attempts to impose President’s rule in the state. Source: Times Now News

Concerns Over Law and Order

The incident has raised concerns about law and order in the region as the state prepares for assembly elections. Banerjee has accused the BJP of orchestrating a plan to cancel the polls and impose President’s rule. Source: Times Now News She has also called for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging his involvement in orchestrating the transfer of officers through the Election Commission. Source: Times Now News

Banerjee urged people to maintain peace and not “fall for any provocation,” stating she did not know who was behind the protests. Source: The Indian Express