West Bengal Police arrested a close associate of TMC leader Jahangir Khan in the South 24 Parganas district on several charges, including extortion, assault, and intimidation, a senior officer said on Thursday.
The accused, Israfil Chakdar, the head of Bagnanagar-II gram panchayat taken into custody from Hasimnagar within the Falta police station area on Wednesday night.
Trinamool Leader Arrested in West Bengal in Extortion case
“Multiple complaints filed against the accused, including claims of extortion, threatening locals, and assault. Based on our investigation, he arrested from Hasimnagar,” the police officer said.
Chakdar is known to be a close associate of Khan, who has on the run since he withdrew from the elections before the May 21 re-election in the Falta Assembly constituency.
Women accused Trinamool leaders for restrict them for voting
This arrest follows widespread protests in Hasimnagar after polling on April 29. Local women organized road blockades for two days, claiming that Trinamool-backed criminals led by Chakdar stopped them from voting and kept them confined at home during the election.
The protesters also accused Chakdar and his associates of assaulting residents and harassing women. It led to calls for re-polling in Falta.
Following various complaints, the Election Commission later canceled the entire voting process in the constituency and announced new elections for May 21.
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