By Sanhati Banerjee
Kolkata: Within 24 hours of a tragic fire claiming the lives of two labourers at Tiljala in Kolkata, bulldozers arrived at the Muslim-majority neighbourhood, leading to destruction and a standoff.
At the adjoining Park Circus Seven-Point crossing, a bustling intersection, a protest against the bulldozing action took place on May 17. According to Kolkata Police, a mob attacked security forces during the protests, however, by its own admission, injuries to cops were minimal.
On May 18, local activist Faridul Islam who had been present at the site of the protest was arrested near a toll gate, while on his way to the burial of a deceased relative. Several others were held as well, taking the total number of arrests because of the protest to 46.
But Beniapukur Police have centred the probe of the unrest at the protest site on Islam, whom they have claimed to be the “main conspirator,” alleging that he orchestrated the protest through social media.
Two days later, the police reportedly conducted an official crime-scene reconstruction. During that exercise on May 19, officials from the Beniapukur Police Station allegedly tied a rope around Islam’s waist and paraded him through the neighbourhood.
Islam’s counsel sought bail on the grounds of him being “falsely implicated” but Islam was denied bail five times and will remain in judicial custody till June 9.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
