Who is Mofakkerul Islam and why has he been arrested in West Bengal's Malda just days before high-stake election?

Police in West Bengal's Malda have arrested AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam, accused of leading protests on Wednesday that led to the gherao of seven Special Intensive Revision (SIR) officers for over nine hours. Mofakkerul Islam was arrested at Bagdogra Airport by the West Bengal police on Friday while he was trying to flee the state.

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Who is Mofakkerul Islam?

Mofakkerul previously contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections as a candidate for the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) from the Itahar constituency. An advocate by profession, he has been described as the alleged mastermind behind the Malda incident. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the administrative blockade in Malda. A video is also circulating online where Mofakkerul Islam is purportedly giving a provocative speech to a crowd of protestors in Malda.


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What happened in Bengal's Malda?

Tensions rose in Malda on Wednesday afternoon when a group of protesters gathered outside the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office around 4pm. They were angry over the alleged removal of names from the voter list during the special intensive revision (SIR) process. The protesters initially sought a meeting with the judicial officers inside the office. When they were denied entry, tensions escalated. The crowd then surrounded the building, effectively trapping seven judicial officers, including three women, inside.

As hours passed, the protest intensified, with demonstrators blocking National Highway 12 (Kolkata–Siliguri route), disrupting traffic and mounting pressure on authorities. Late at night, a large contingent of security personnel reached the spot to carry out a rescue operation.

When the officers were brought out after midnight, protesters attempted to stop their vehicles by placing bamboo poles on the road and even tried to vandalise them. Police then resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd and safely evacuate the officials.

Amid the chaos, there were claims that some protesters were injured, though this was not officially confirmed. The situation eventually calmed after an Additional District Magistrate arrived and assured the protesters that eligible voters’ names would be restored within four days, following which the road blockade was lifted.

Later, the Election Commission sought a report on the incident from the state police chief.A total of 18 persons, including an All India Secular Front (AISF) candidate from Mothabari constituency in minority-dominated Malda district, Maulana Shahjan Ali, have been arrested in connection with the Malda incident. Ali said he had been falsely implicated by the police because he is an AISF candidate.

The Election Commission on Thursday handed over the Malda violence probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) even as it came down heavily on senior administration and police officials in Bengal over the alleged failure in handling the law and order situation on Wednesday. An NIA team is expected to reach Malda on Friday, a source said.

(With TOI inputs)