Cooch Behar, May 15 -- The Pundibari Police on Friday arrested Cooch Behar-II Block Trinamool Congress president Subhankar De alias "Chanda" in connection with the alleged attack on the convoy of current Chief Minister and then Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari at Khagrabari in Cooch Behar in August last year. However, police did not disclose the location from where he was arrested.

According to police sources, the case dates back to August 2025, when Suvendu Adhikari had visited Cooch Behar following directions from the Supreme Court to meet the then Superintendent of Police regarding alleged attacks on BJP workers. During the visit, his convoy allegedly

came under attack at Khagrabari while entering Cooch Behar town.

Following the incident, an FIR was lodged against 25 individuals, including Cooch Behar district Trinamool president Abhijit De Bhowmik, former North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha and Subhankar De. Police arrested De on Friday in connection with the case, triggering political reactions in the district.

Cooch Behar Superintendent of Police Jaspreet Singh said: "There was an attack on the convoy of the then Leader of the Opposition, who is now the Chief Minister, in August 2025. One person, identified as Subhankar De, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is underway."

Meanwhile, nearly 200 residents staged a protest outside the residence of a Trinamool Congress panchayat member at Booth No. 178 under Pani Shala Gram Panchayat on Friday over allegations of collecting money in the name of providing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Villagers accused panchayat member Mujibur Rahman of allegedly taking between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 from beneficiaries by promising PMAY houses. Protesters also alleged that those opposing the alleged corruption were threatened.

As tension mounted, personnel from Cooch Behar Kotwali Police Station along with central forces reached the area to maintain law and order. The accused was reportedly absent during the protest, while his family denied the allegations.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.