Bhangar violence: Two Red Star members held, say cops

Sharmistha Choudhury was arrested, confirmed IG (Law and order) Anuj Sharma.

Bhangar, Bhangar violence, red star members, CPI(ML), CPI (ML) Red Star, west bengal, indian express news

Sharmistha Choudhury

Two members of CPI(ML) Red Star were arrested on Wednesday in connection with clashes that occurred in Bhangar, South-24 Parganas, on January 17. Sharmistha Choudhury was arrested, confirmed IG (Law and order) Anuj Sharma. Police had not released further details regarding the arrest till the time of filing this report. Shehnawaz Mondal was also arrested. “By arresting Sharmistha they have yet again left Bhangar in violence. They will see a heightened level of protest now. That people do not have democratic rights in Bengal, is now evident. People are already out on the road to protest,” said Alik Chakraborty, Sharmishta’s husband and CPI (ML) Red Star member. Tension simmered in Bhangar and life had come to a standstill. Markets were closed and roads were deserted.

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According to sources, Sharmistha was picked up from Panapukur village about one kilometre away from the power grid project. At the time she was travelling with Mondal on a motorcycle. According to sources CID officials were also a part of the team that arrested her. To avoid any tension and retaliation, they both were brought to New Town police station, where interrogation is on, said sources.

Police also took out a peace march under the leadership of SP Sunil Kumar Choudhury in the violence-hit areas on Wednesday. Police also carried out a confidence building exercises throughout the day.

“Peace in the villages is our only motive. They were influenced and brainwashed. Situation is back to normal”, said DGP (Bengal) Surjit Kar Purkayastha. Earlier, police had arrested 11 in the case. Investigations are on to catch the masterminds, police said.

Police said initial investigations had revealed that the violence at Bhangar was instigated by a fallout between two rival local groups. “The conflict was created in the interests of promoters and was hijacked by Naxals,” said a senior police officer. Police sources added that Bhangar and Rajarhat, adjacent to each other, made it easy for “Naxal leaders to enter the Rajarhat area and influence villagers against the government”.

Police officers added that the CPI(ML)-Red Star members Alik and Sharmistha had been campaigning in the area for a long time. CPI(ML) RED STAR liberation had strongly condemned the arrest of Sharmistha Choudhury by issuing statement that she had been charged in false cases from Bhangor area. “ We demand her immediate and unconditional release”, said Partho Ghosh of CPI (ML) Liberation.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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