Police have arrested CPI(M) leader Lahek Ali in connection with the violence that broke out after the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. Ali was arrested from the Khodarbazar area on Sunday night and produced before a local court on Monday.
The violence took place in Suryapur on July 5 after protests over the girl’s death turned violent. Police said demonstrators allegedly blocked roads and railway tracks, clashed with security personnel and damaged public property.
Several cases have been registered under charges including rioting, arson, incitement and provisions of the Indian Railways Act.
Lahek Ali Denies Charges
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Lahek Ali rejected the allegations against him and claimed that the case was politically motivated.
“All the allegations are false. This is political vendetta. The government is trying to silence protests in this manner,” he said.
CPI(M) Questions Arrest
The CPI(M) strongly criticised the arrest and accused the state government of targeting opposition leaders instead of allowing an impartial investigation.
Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty claimed that Ali reached the protest site only after the violence had already taken place.
“A look at the CCTV footage will show that Lahek reached the spot after the incident referred to by the police. Instead of allowing the investigation to proceed independently, conclusions are being drawn even before the trial. That is not healthy for democracy,” Chakraborty said.
More Than 40 Arrested
According to police sources, investigators have registered at least 15 cases related to the violence. An initial group of 18 people was arrested on July 8.
Police later used digital forensic analysis and social media videos to identify more suspects. A fresh round of raids led to the arrest of 22 more people, taking the total number of arrests to more than 40.
Officials said the investigation is continuing and more people involved in the violence may be identified.
Residents Allege Community Being Targeted
Several residents from villages including Mirpur, Balbale, Dhapadhapi, Suryapur and Beltola have alleged that police action has created fear in the area.
Some residents claimed that adult men have left their homes fearing late-night police raids.
Murshida Bibi alleged that her husband was arrested even though he was not present during the violence.
“My husband was not in the locality on the day of the incident. Even then, a case was registered against him and the police came to our house at night and took him away,” she claimed.
Another resident, Yasmina Mondal, said many families were living in fear.
“The police operations have created widespread fear. Men cannot sleep at home due to ongoing raids, and families are facing daily distress. We feel a specific community is being systematically targeted,” she alleged.
These allegations have not been independently verified, and the police have not publicly responded to the specific claims.
Rights Groups Raise Concerns
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the arrests while acknowledging the seriousness of the alleged rape and murder.
They said peaceful protesters should not be targeted and that those responsible for violence should be identified through a fair legal process.
Speaking to The Observer Post, APDR State Secretary Altaf Ahmed criticised the government’s handling of the situation.
“The Chief Minister initially gave a communal interpretation to the public protests by alleging the involvement of fundamentalist and anti-national forces. The subsequent arrests of protesters have raised concerns among many people. Every citizen has the democratic right to protest, and any investigation should be conducted strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.
The investigation into both the alleged rape and murder and the subsequent violence is ongoing.
