Saha, who has been gaining popularity within her organisation following protests demanding an increase in the salary of mid-day meal workers in the state, was arrested from her friend Natasha Khan’s house in New Town.

“Jubi Saha has been arrested on charges of spreading violence and inciting and fuelling false accusations in the Sandeshkhali area,” a police official said.

According to sources, the police knew that Saha was at Khan’s residence on Thursday night, kept watch throughout the night and arrested her at around 6 am on Friday.

Khan said the police have arrested Saha under several sections of the Indian Penal Code on charges related to unlawful assembly, mischief by fire, theft, destruction etc. She has also been booked under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for her alleged involvement in an incident where a poultry farm in Sandeshkhali 2 block was burnt.

Khan took to Facebook Live to show the police entering her residence in New Town, claimed that Saha had never visited Sandeshkhali 2 block and said the police were harassing her for political reasons.

Saha’s arrest comes days after ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui was arrested for allegedly violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure while he was on his way to Sandeshkhali. She was arrested in the same case in which former CPM MLA Nirapad Sardar and ISF leader Ayesha were arrested.

Sandeshkhali has been witnessing violence and protests this month against local Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides who have been accused of sexual harassment and land-grabbing. Shahjahan, who had been on the run, was arrested on Thursday and removed from the TMC for six years, sparking celebrations in Sandeshkhali.