KOLKATA: A Jamiat leader, who is politically close to Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, is inciting Muslims in the state to prevent the sleuths probing the Bardhman blast from entering madrasas as part of the investigation.
According to Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind general secretary Siddiqulla Chowdhury, “Muslims should not allow the police to enter the madrasas. Shut the doors if the police, CID or intelligence officials reach there. First search them and then only decide whether they should be allowed in”.
Referring to the erstwhile Buddhadeb Bhattacharya-led Left Front (LF) Government’s attempts to set up industries by forcibly acquiring farm lands, he said, “ The police action led to Bhattacharya’s downfall. If the police enter the madrasas, it will also lead to the downfall of the TMC.”
However, he immediately clarified, saying, “We do not want Mamata’s downfall now. But, remember that we fought at Nandigram. That altered the politics in the state dramatically. Again, if we take up such a role, the TMC too will be doomed.”
“Mamata should use the police in a proper manner, otherwise it will lead to extreme disaster,” he warned the Chief Minister.
Following the massive agitation by the farmers, the then CPM-led LF Government was forced to withdraw from setting up a chemical hub at Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district.Along with Siddiqulla and his followers, the Trinamool Congress too sided with the farmers. Many people had died after the police opened fire on a violent mob and a CBI inquiry was ordered.
Siddiqulla also sought funds for hiring lawyers for the arrested women terrorists of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JuMB).
“We will raise funds for these two women, who have been interrogated by the district police, the CID and the NIA. We want a legal inquiry through our lawyers and want to know the truth,” he said.
The two women terrorists -- Raziya Bibi and Amina Bibi -- now under the NIA custody, had prevented the fire brigade and local people from entering their home after the explosion, threatening to open fire.
A senior IPS officer in the state said Siddiqulla should be immediately arrested for his speech, as he had violated several sections of the IPC and attempted to instigate a particularly community, thereby creating communal disharmony.
Bardhaman district police chief S M H Meerza said, “We have received reports about Siddiqulla’s several instigatory utterances. Many objectionable comments were made against the police. We are obtaining video footage of that meeting and the speeches delivered there. If such speeches have been made, action will be taken.”