Kolkata, April 4 -- West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday that while the actual masterminds behind the hostage of judicial officers in Malda have fled, local youths were being harassed in the name of a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"Two communal parties came and gheraoed the judicial officers. They then fled. Meanwhile the local youths are being harassed. In the name of NIA probe, they are arresting 40-50 youths. We can't even protest. No one can submit deputation to the Election Commission. They have choked all voices," Banerjee said while addressing a rally at Manikchak in Malda.

On Wednesday, seven judicial officers appointed by the Calcutta High Court were gheraoed by a large mob at Kaliacha...