Raiganj, Sept. 25 -- Police arrested Jaydeb Barman, husband of Madhabi Barman, the Pradhan of the BJP-led Patirajpur Gram Panchayat of North Dinajpur district, from his residence late on Thursday night in connection with an alleged assault on a woman in the locality. He was produced before a court on Friday. The arrest triggered tension in the area.
Patirajpur is reportedly the only gram panchayat in Itahar where the BJP formed the board. The arrest comes amid an ongoing political dispute within the panchayat. About a fortnight ago, a section of BJP members, along with members from other opposition groups, moved a no-confidence motion against Pradhan Madhabi Barman. An administrative meeting to discuss the motion was scheduled for Friday.
However, the Pradhan approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the no-confidence process. The court reportedly issued a stay order on Thursday, preventing the scheduled meeting from taking place. Jaydeb Barman alleged that a section of BJP members was deliberately harassing him by filing a false case. "It is a political conspiracy against me," he said. A senior police officer said Barman was arrested on the basis of a specific complaint alleging assault on a woman and was subsequently produced before the court.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.