Anxiety sparks in Mofakkerul’s Itahar village after his arrest

Raiganj: Anxiety gripped Porsha village under Itahar police station in North Dinajpur district on Friday following the arrest of AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam. Residents expressed shock after learning that he was arrested at the Bagdogra Airport while allegedly attempting to leave the state.

According to police sources, Islam was arrested in connection with the violent protest at Mothabari in Malda district on Wednesday. He has been accused of playing a key role in instigating a mob that gheraoed seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls and consequently pelting stones on their cars.

The officers were reportedly confined for several hours, triggering serious concern over law and order.

The incident has drawn national attention, with the Election Commission referring the matter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a detailed probe. Villagers in Porsha described Islam as a socially active individual who often provided free legal advice. Gulam Mustafa, a resident of Porsha, said: “He is a helpful person and spends much of his time in Kolkata for legal practice. His name was in the adjudication list of SIR. So he could have organised a protest. Excerpts of his speech during the protest may have contributed to his arrest”.

Meanwhile, Islam’s family members claimed he had not provoked people into agitating. Mustaque Hossain, father of Mofakkerul, said, “My son is in no way guilty.

We will extend full legal support to him.” The situation in the village remains tense, with locals closely monitoring further developments.