According to the police, Sardar was arrested after residents complained he had been creating trouble in Sandeshkhali. His arrest came after days of violent protests by villagers accusing him, Shahjahan Sheikh, whom the ED is looking for in connection with its investigation into the purported ration scam in West Bengal, and Shiv Prasad Hazra of committing various atrocities.
The police also arrested Vikas Singh, the BJP observer in the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, for allegedly sending provocative messages to the people of Sandeshkhali. According to local sources, Singh was picked up from home in front of the Sandeshkhali police station and brought to the station on Saturday evening. After interrogating him for hours, the police arrested him at night.
The villagers claimed these two leaders were carrying out many atrocities in the area and also accused them of torturing women and encroaching upon land etc.
“There was some complaint against Uttam Sardar based on which he has been arrested, the investigation is on,” said a senior police officer.
However, the family of Singh, the former president of the BJP’s Basirhat organisational district, claimed he was innocent.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties criticised the police for arresting Sardar after his suspension from the party.
Calling Sardar’s arrest just an “eyewash”, CPIM leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “He is a small man. This arrest was done only after the TMC suspended him. So far, the police were giving him a clean chit. When the villagers complained against Sheikh Shah Jahan and Shiv Prasad Hazara, why haven’t they been suspended?”
BJP’s Sajal Ghosh said, “The police had said they have found no allegations against Sardar. We are also saying he is just a follower and his arrest is just an eyewash. Why can’t the police arrest Sheikh Shah Jahan against whom people have main allegations?”
State Minister Partha Bhowmik said Sardar was suspended on Saturday afternoon from the party for six years following a decision taken by the party’s All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
“All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Mamata Banerjee’s order had formed a team to submit a report on Sandeshkhali based on which he was suspended for six years. We didn’t find any allegations against Shiv Prasad Hazra,” said Bhowmik.
Villagers have accused Trinamool leaders Sheikh Shahjahan, Uttam Sardar, and Shiv Prasad Hazra of torturing the people of Sandeshkhali, demanding their arrest immediately.
On Wednesday, residents took to the streets demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan after processions led by the TMC and the BJP ended in clashes. The next day, a mob, led by women, tried to surround the Sandeshkhali police station with sticks and bamboo sticks demanding the arrest of Sheikh. He has been missing since January after a team of the ED went to raid his house in the alleged ration scam and was attacked by a mob of his supporters.
Authorities clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 in large areas of Sandeshkhali and also suspended internet service after the protests turned violent.