CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, contesting the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, was arrested on Friday in connection with cases registered during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in the constituency. The arrest came hours after former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her Trinamool Congress faction would support Pradhan in the October 6 bypoll.
According to the West Bengal Police, Pradhan was arrested in connection with four long-pending non-bailable warrants. Police said the cases involve allegations including murder, attempted murder, abduction with intent to murder, rioting and offences under the Arms Act. The police also stated that Pradhan had been declared an absconder in the cases and that the arrest was part of a special drive to execute pending warrants.
The Congress has questioned the timing of the arrest, with state leaders seeking details about the action. Mamata Banerjee also questioned why an old case was acted upon immediately after her faction announced support for the Congress candidate. These political allegations have not been established as facts.
Pradhan is scheduled to be produced before a court in Haldia. The Congress has announced a protest rally in Kolkata over his arrest. The development has added another issue to the political contest ahead of the Nandigram bypoll.
Hashtags: #WestBengalState #Bhopal #Desksource #Nandigram #Congress #Candidate #DeskSource #Arrested #Mamata #Support
