Bhangar agitation leader nabbed from Bhubaneswar

Kolkata: The CPI-ML (Red Star) leader Alik Chakraborty was arrested from Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Thursday. He had led the agitation against setting up of a power grid sub-station at Bhangar in South 24-Parganas.

He had been at large for the past one and a half years. A special investigation team (SIT) of Bengal police was formed to probe into the incident and to get hold of Alik.

Acting on a tip-off, officers of the SIT went to Bhubaneswar, who arrested him near a hospital. Sources said that he had been suffering for liver ailments and had gone to Bhubaneswar for treatment.

For the past few days, the police had intensified the vigil after knowing that Alik would be going to Bhubaneswar. The information that the police had received came true, which helped them arrest him.

The police had initiated a case against Alik on charges of damaging public property and a probe was also initiated under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They had come to know that it was Alik who had headed the movement against setting up of the power grid sub-station at Bhangar. He had even held rallies under the banner of Jomi, Jibika, Bastutantra O Paribesh Rakhya Committee.

His name is in the FIR that was lodged by the police on alleged charges of inciting violence in Bhangar.

It was on January 4 when the police had arrested 11 CPI-ML (Red Star) activists from Assam, including one Raju Singh from Belgharia station in North 24-Parganas, when they were going to Bhangar. They were heading to Bhangar to instigate people to intensify protest against setting up of the power grid sub-station.