Independent fact-finding team on way to Sandeshkhali detained

An independent fact-finding committee led by former Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy was briefly arrested when they were on their way to visit the violence-hit Sandeshkhali area on February 25.

The police stopped the team citing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code which prohibits the gathering of four or more people.

The members of the team were detained in the Bhojerhat area, which is around 52 km from the riverine area, on Basanti Highway and were brought to PHQ Lal Bazaar Kolkata, from where they were released later, PTI reported citing a police officer.

The team also wanted to probe alleged incidents of Trinamool Congress leaders grabbing residents' land to convert into Bheris (fish farm).

The six-member team comprised Reddy, former IPS officer Raj Pal Singh, former National Commission for Women member Charu Wali Khanna, advocates OP Vyas and Bhavna Bajaj, and senior journalist Sanjeev Nayak.

While speaking to reporters, a member of the team criticised the police, suggesting that the present crisis warrants a president's rule in the state.

"We were arrested under section 151 CrPC. They brought us here and after bail documentation, we were released. We are going to meet the Governor and describe the situation to him. We did not do anything but they arrested us. This happens only in Bengal."

"The entire country is seeing what is happening here. The culprit is roaming free and victims are under pressure. This decision (of implementing President's Rule) can only be taken by the Government...."

Reddy termed the police's actions as "completely illegal". "We have told the police personnel as law-abiding citizens we will not break rules. No curfew has been imposed in Sandeshkhali. So we can go in two groups. At least two of our women members should be allowed to visit the females who had bore the brunt of atrocities of musclemen enjoying political patronage and impunity from police action in all these days till the media unravelled the shocking truth."

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