Around 400 supporters of Trinamool Congress's Falta candidate Jahangir 'Pushpa' Khan staged a road blockade on Tuesday, protesting against his alleged torture by police. The protesters were angered by the police making Khan walk in public wearing Bermuda shorts and an AI-generated image showing the strongman being forced to do sit-ups while holding his ears.
Protest Led by Khan's Wife
The demonstration was led by Khan's wife, Sarina, who marched with supporters to the Falta police station to demand his release. The protesters accused the police of violating Khan's basic human dignity by parading him in shorts with a rope tied around his waist.
Police Response
Police and central forces baton-charged the crowd, prompting many protesters to dive into ponds to escape. ADG (South Bengal) Rakesh Singh stated that mild force was used after the protesters refused to disperse. He said, "He (Khan) has been arrested. The issue of release can only be dealt with by court. They did not listen to us and had to be removed. None was injured. An FIR has been lodged."
Background of Khan's Arrest
Khan, who police described as absconding, was arrested on June 8 near the India-Nepal border in Darjeeling district on charges of extortion and violence. He is an aide of Abhishek Banerjee and gained notoriety during the assembly polls when he compared himself to the character 'Pushpa' after a confrontation with a police officer nicknamed 'Singham'. The Election Commission countermanded the April 29 poll in Falta due to electoral malpractice complaints, ordering a repoll which the BJP won by over 1 lakh votes.
Details of the Protest
Around noon on Tuesday, a group of women led by Sarina Khan, backed by hundreds of men, blocked a road in Falta's Mullikpur. The blockade lasted for an hour, causing traffic congestion. A large police contingent and central forces were deployed. An argument broke out when forces attempted to remove the blockade, leading to a baton charge. Videos on social media showed central force personnel advancing with batons, causing protesters to disperse. Many leaped into water bodies or ran into houses and shops to avoid being struck.
Falta MLA Debangshu Panda noted that women, joined by supporters from Budge Budge and Metiabruz, gathered outside the police station to demand Khan's release. Meanwhile, CM Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to visit Falta on Wednesday for a Jan Kalyan Shivir.
