In a significant development, the prime accused in the violent attack on police personnel at Sandeshkhali, Musa Molla, was finally arrested on Tuesday. This arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in the case to 13. The incident, which left six policemen injured including a Sub-Inspector, has spotlighted ongoing tensions in the region.
The Trigger: Illegal Construction on Disputed Land
The chain of events began on Friday night. Police from Nazat Police Station responded to a complaint about illegal construction on a plot at Chuchura under Boyarmari 2 gram panchayat in Basirhat. Crucially, the land was under prohibitory orders (Section 144) as per a court directive, banning any such activity.
Despite the clear restriction, a group allegedly associated with jailed former Sandeshkhali strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, and reportedly led by Musa Molla, attempted to carry on with the construction work. When the police arrived and ordered the work to stop, the accused refused to comply, leading to a heated argument.
Violent Escalation and Police Crackdown
The situation rapidly spiraled out of control. According to sources, the police team was suddenly attacked with bricks and stones. The mob also damaged police vehicles. In the brutal assault, six police personnel sustained serious injuries.
A large police contingent was subsequently deployed to bring the situation under control. An immediate crackdown and investigation were launched. Sleuths determined that Musa Molla was overseeing the illegal construction and that the attack on the cops was carried out on his direct instructions.
The Arrest Trail and Court Proceedings
Following the attack, police swiftly arrested nine persons on Saturday, followed by three more later. Among those arrested was Molla's brother. However, the prime accused himself remained absconding until Tuesday.
Acting on a specific tip-off, police finally apprehended Musa Molla from the Hulo Para area near the Rajbari police outpost in Sandeshkhali. He was produced before a Basirhat court on Tuesday afternoon. The court has remanded him in police custody for seven days to aid further investigation.
The arrest marks a crucial step in the case, but it also underscores the challenges authorities face in maintaining law and order in areas with a history of political and local strongman influence.
