The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made 15 arrests on Monday in connection with the Mothabari incident of April 1, when judicial officers engaged in summary inquiry and revision (SIR) work were gheraoed for over eight hours. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NIA said the arrests were made in two separate cases linked to road blockades and the illegal confinement of judicial officers.
Details of the Arrests
In the first case, 12 people were arrested for allegedly detaining a woman judicial officer for around eight hours on the Haibatola–Amlitola Road. The agency identified the main accused as Joshim Sk and Asmaul Sk. In the second case, three people—Alamgir Sk, Nurul Islam, and Habibur Rahman—were arrested for their alleged role in blocking the Bagmara Bridge in the Mothabari block.
Background of the Incident
On April 1, a large crowd protesting the deletion of names from voters' lists allegedly turned violent. The protesters blocked roads, vandalised vehicles, and attacked police personnel. Seven judicial officers were reportedly held inside the Block Development Officer (BDO) office in Mothabari, while an eighth was confined in a vehicle.
Total Arrests and Investigation
With these arrests, the total number of individuals held in the case has risen to 65. Those arrested include local Trinamool Congress (TMC) office-bearers, an Indian Secular Front (ISF) election candidate, and lawyer-activists. The NIA said efforts continue to trace others involved in the incident.
