The district president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Dinajpur was arrested on Sunday for threatening the police. In a video clip aired by television channels, BJP leader Shankar Chakraborty purportedly told the locals of Daribhit village in Uttar Dinajpur to tie up the police to trees. Two youths were killed in alleged police firing in the Islampur area earlier this week during an agitation over recruitment of teachers in the local Daribhit High School.
“BJP district president Shankar Chakraborty has been arrested,” said Anuj Sharma, Additional Director General (Law and Order). Mr. Chakraborty was arrested from the district’s Karandighi police station area within five hours of his remark.
Earlier in the day, the BJP leader urged villager to tie up the police to trees. “Block police cars. Tie them (police personnel) to trees. If police asks for water always refuse,” said Mr. Chakraborty.
Warning to SP
“I am telling the SP- Sumit Kumar-that “you have fuelled fire in the district. If you fail to normalise the situation soon you will not be able to stay in the district for even 20 days,” the BJP leader said on Sunday afternoon.
He also said that “if the police tries to enter the homes of villagers illegally, the women of the village will take law in their own hands”.
The incident drew severe criticism from State BJP president Dilip Ghosh. “Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders threaten police almost regularly. No action is taken against them. But when one of our leaders said something, he is promptly arrested. The police will face the consequences,” said Mr. Ghosh.
Earlier in the State police officers made it clear that they have taken serious note of Mr. Chakraborty’s remarks. “One BJP leader instigated the public. He is telling them to attack the police. He is instigating the public to tie up police to trees and beat them and murder them. We have received video footage of his remarks…We will treat this as a crime and take strong legal action. He is instigating the public to indulge in rioting. We will never allow this,” said Mr. Sharma.
