Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Aug 15: Former Member of Mayor in Council (MMIC) of the Howrah Municipal Corporation and Trinamool Congress leader Shyamal Mitra has been arrested from New Town in Kolkata, police said on Saturday.
Mitra, who is considered close to former state minister Arup Roy, faces allegations of extortion, intimidation and assault.
He was produced before the Howrah court on Saturday. As he was being taken to court from Shibpur police station, a group of people reportedly threw raw eggs at him. It was also alleged that he was beaten in front of police personnel. Police intervened and took Mitra to the court, preventing the situation from escalating further.
According to police, the case against Mitra is linked to an incident on May 4, when Assembly election results were announced. Police said a procession comprising around 400 to 500 people, carrying Trinamool flags, was heading towards Howrah Maidan.
The procession was allegedly led forward without administrative permission despite warnings from police that the participants were violating the election code of conduct.
Police said the protesters continued marching and allegedly turned aggressive before attacking police personnel. Several officers, including Sub-Inspector Pappu Yadav, who was in charge of counting arrangements, were injured in the alleged assault, with some requiring hospital treatment.
A case was subsequently registered at Shibpur police station against Mitra.
Among the complaints was a written complaint filed by Shubhajit Chattopadhyay of Shibpur police station. He alleged that on the night of April 10, Mitra and his associates attacked BJP workers during a meeting outside the BJP office at Mandirtala in Howrah.
According to the complaint, Mitra allegedly threatened the workers with a firearm and demanded Rs 1.5 lakh, besides taking away their belongings.
Chattopadhyay further alleged that when the demand was refused, Mitra struck him on the head with the butt of a firearm. He claimed that he was carrying Rs 1,030, which Mitra allegedly took after threatening to kill him.
Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations against the TMC leader.