New Delhi: Day after violence broke out in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Friday, president of the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sukanta Majumdar was arrested on Saturday afternoon when he tried to visit the violence-hit district, said the police, reported news agency PTI.
As per the report, Majumdar who is an MP from Balurghat in Uttar Dinajpur was arrested near the toll plaza, the police added.
"Mr Majumdar was trying to travel to Howrah where prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 have been clamped. His visit could have created a law and order situation. This is a preventive arrest," a senior police officer told PTI.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul questioned the move and asked why he was kept under “house arrest” in the morning and questioned CM Mamata Banerjee over the situation in the state.
“Why was he (BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar) kept under house arrest in the morning? Law & order situation has completely fallen. What are you (CM) doing? Army & paramilitary forces should be deployed here,” she asked.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday counter attacked BJP over the violence and asked why common people should suffer because of the “sin” committed by the saffron party.
READ HERE: Howrah Violence | Why Should People Suffer For 'BJP's Sin,' Asks CM Mamata Banerjee
Fresh clashes broke out between the police and a group of protestors on Saturday at Panchla Bazaar in Howrah district. Police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd as protesters pelted stones after yesterday's violent protests over controversial remarks of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was imposed in and around the stretches of National Highways and Railway Stations under the jurisdiction of Uluberia-Sub Division, Howrah extended till June15.