CPI(ML) Red Star leader sent to 10-day police custody

Chakraborty, who has been leading an agitation against the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in Bhangar in South 24-Parganas for the past few years, was brought here by the police on a transit remand from Bhubaneswar.

He was produced before the sub divisional magistrate's court at Baruipur in the district.

The police said he has been charged with instigating and deliberately misinforming villagers of Bhangar, which witnessed violent clashes against the PGCIL's proposed unit on 16 acres.

He was arrested by the

Special Operation Group (SOG) of the South 24-Parganas police from Bhubaneswar when he went there for treatment.

He was arrested from outside Kalinga Hospital at Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement with the Maoists and for creating trouble at Bhangar.

Due to Alik's agitation, the work of the almost complete sub-station had to be stalled and it resulted to the restriction in development of the area.

The police had been on the look-out for Alik for the past one-and-a-half years. But he had managed to flee from Bhangar a few weeks ago and went to Hyderabad from where he reached Bhubaneswar for treatment.

The police received information and went to Bhubaneswar acting on the tip-off. They found Alik outside a tea stall and arrested him. He was brought to Kolkata in flight on Friday late night and was produced before the court on Saturday afternoon.

Alik had headed the movement against setting up of the power grid sub-station at Bhangar and rallies under the banner of 'Jomi Jibika Poribesh o Bastutantra Raksha Samiti' (committee for protection of land, livelihood, environment and ecology).

Some supporters of the CPIML (Red Star) had created trouble at Bhangar causing inconvenience to common people protesting against the arrest.

A large contingent of police was posted in the area to ensure that the situation remains calm and doesn't deteriorate further.