Warrant for Congress MLA in murder

A warrant of arrest was issued against senior Congress MLA from Sabang in East Midnapore Manas Bhunia in the murder of a Trinamul Congress activist in April during the Assembly election. The Congress cried foul and claimed that Mr Bhunia was framed in a politically-motivated false case. Arrest warrants were also issued against two more important Congress leaders — district party president Bikas Bhunia and panchayat samiti chief Amal Panda.

On April 8, just three days before polling in Sabang Assembly constituency, ruling party worker Joydeb Jana was found murdered in Dubrajpur area. An FIR was lodged on April 9 against 22 persons, including Mr Bhunia. Nearly a dozen accused have already been arrested. On Saturday, in Midnapore’s CJM court, the police prayed for arrest warrants against three Congress leaders. The court accepted the police request and issued the warrants.

Mr Bhunia did not react to the development. However, the Congress cried foul. Leader of the Opposition Abdul Mannan described the accusation as a fabricated charge.

“This exposed the vindictive and autocratic face of the Trinamul Congress government,” he said, adding that his party would launch a statewide agitation in protest.