Trinamool Congress block president Anirul Hussain has been arrested in connection with the Birbhum violence in West Bengal. Hussain’s arrest came hours after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement in which she had asked the accused to surrender, failing to do so, asked him to face arrest. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had reached Bogatui village in Birbhum district on Thursday, where the violence took place.
India Today TV has quoted sources as saying that Anirul Hussain has been arrested by the police from a hotel in Tarapith. A senior police officer of Birbhum district has been suspended just after Mamata Banerjee’s visit. Police Inspector Trideep Pramanik posted as in-charge of Rampurhat police station has been suspended with immediate effect for his gross misconduct and disregard of duty of a member of a disciplined police force.
Who is Anirul Hussain?
Since the violence in Birbhum, one name has been in the news a lot, that of Anirul Hussain. Eight people were burnt alive in Tuesday’s violence. Anirul Hasain is accused of being involved in the incident. The families of the victims had also demanded his immediate arrest. The family had also raised the issue of his arrest in front of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. After which Mamta ordered the police to be arrested immediately.
Considered close to the Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly
Hussain, a resident of Rampurhat, was a Congress leader before the formation of Trinamool Congress. According to an India Today report, Hussain is reportedly a close aide of the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly and Birbhum MLA Ashish Banerjee. As the Block President of Trinamool Congress, Anirul used to handle political issues in Bagtui village and the surrounding area. The families of the victims told Mamata Banerjee that the locals tried calling Anirul when the houses were being set on fire, but he did not respond. Police will also investigate why he was running away from telling them anything about the incident.
Many houses were set on fire
On Tuesday, houses were torched in a village under Rampurhat police station area, in which at least eight people were burnt to death. Taking suo motu cognizance of the violence, the Kolkata High Court had ordered the Bengal government to ensure that witnesses are protected and evidence at the scene of the incident is not tampered with. The Kolkata High Court has reserved its decision while hearing the matter on Thursday.