Malda police nab six in EC official attack case

KOLKATA: The Malda district police on Friday arrested six persons in connection with the assault on Election Commission (EC) officials at Manikchowk under Malda district in West Bengal on Thursday. The EC had taken strong exception to the attack on its officials by the ruling Trinamool Congress activists, and asked the director general of state police to arrest those named in the FIR.

The commission also directed the DGP to arrest those who had organized the bike rally in the state on Thursday in gross violation of rules. EC officials were filming the rally in Malda on Thursday when they were allegedly roughed up by the Trinamool Congress supporters. State minister Sabitri Mitra’s son-inlaw Samadip Sarkar was among the six arrested in connection with the assault. Three others -- Motiur Rahaman, Muklesur Rahamal and Jamal Khan -- were also arrested on Friday from Malda’s Rathbari and Rabindra Avenue Avenue areas.


Two others, whose names did not appear in the FIR, were also picked up by the cops on Thursday night. Following the motor cycle rally, the poll panel had sought a report from the Malda magistrate and also asked the district administration to take stern action against the ruling party workers. The district magistrate had lodged an FIR with the Manikchowk police station on Thursday night following instructions from the commission.