The police intercepted Siddiqui, MLA from the Bhangar constituency, in Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, nearly 50 km from the unrest-hit area, citing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which is in force in parts of Sandeshkhali.

Siddiqui was taken under preventive arrest under Section 151 (arrest to prevent the commission of cognisable offence) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), police officials said.

“There is no Section 144 here (Bhojerhat). This is illegal. Is Sandeshkhali under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police? If not, how can they arrest me?”

Siddiqui condemned the arrest and asked for a written order from the police.

“I think the police in Bengal are given salary from the Trinamool Congress’ office,” he added.

Hitting out at the state’s ruling party, BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said, “The TMC government is trying to create a separate country within India. It seems like they are turning Bengal into Kashmir, where you need a special permit to enter certain areas.”

Questioning the arrest, Congress’ state spokesperson Soumya Aich Roy said, “Let the state government declare officially that only TMC ministers can visit Sandeshkhali and not those from the Opposition. It is not democracy. They are running the government in an arbitrary manner.”

The Bhangar legislator was released a few hours later.

On Sunday, members of an independent fact-finding committee, led by former Patna High Court Chief Justice L Narasimha Reddy, were briefly detained by the Bengal Police when they were on their way to Sandeshkhali.

Sandeshkhali has been witnessing protests against ruling TMC leaders, particularly absconding party strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, for over a month over allegations of land-grabbing and sexual abuse of local women.

Three TMC leaders — Uttam Sardar, Shibaprasad Hazra and Ajit Maity — have been arrested in connection with the allegations after complaints were received against them. The TMC said in a press conference on Monday that Shahjahan Sheikh would be arrested within seven days.